CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

Federal Register

Apr 4, 2024

Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2025. Includes proposals regarding changes to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program; the adoption of the most recent Office of Management and Budget statistical area delineations, which would change the hospice wage index; clarifications to current policy related to the "election statement" and the "notice of election;" and clarifying language regarding hospice certification. Among other things, this rule seeks comments regarding the potential implementation of a separate payment mechanism to account for high-intensity palliative care services. Includes rural considerations throughout. Comments are due by May 28, 2024.

Healthcare business and finance · Healthcare quality · Hospice and palliative care · Legislation and regulations · Medicare · Reimbursement and payment models