Hospice care is focused on comfort, dignity, and compassion at the end of life, and it is one of the most deeply human areas of healthcare. At first glance, it may seem far removed from the world of artificial intelligence (AI). Yet AI is quickly becoming a powerful friend to hospice teams, not by replacing…
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PCHETA – Building the Workforce for Hospice and Palliative Care
Congress has once again introduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), a bipartisan proposal aimed at addressing one of the most pressing challenges in serious illness and end-of-life care: the growing shortage of trained clinicians. Sponsored in the House by Representatives Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), with…
The 2026 Proposed Rule: Are You Ready for Another Round of Changes to HHVBP?
CMS is proposing major changes to the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model in the CY 2026 Home Health Proposed Rule. Here’s what you need to know: Measure Removals – CMS plans to remove three HHCAHPS-based measures: – Care of Patients – Communications Between Providers and Patients – Specific Care Issues Why? These measures rely…
FY 2026 Hospice Final Rule Summary for Hospice Leaders
On August 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Final Rule (CMS-1835-F). This rule outlines key updates to hospice payment policy, quality reporting, and regulatory requirements effective October 1, 2025. For FY 2026,…
LUPAs Are Quietly Killing Your Margins
Let’s talk LUPAs—because even a 5% LUPA rate could be costing your agency more than you realize. Under PDGM, when a 30-day payment period falls below the visit threshold, Medicare applies a Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA). That payment can be 40–60% lower than the full episodic rate. It adds up fast. Here’s the math:If…
Achieving Operational Readiness for HOPE
Hospice providers are entering a pivotal stage of preparation with the October 1, 2025, implementation date of the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool quickly approaching. Many organizations have made considerable progress – training is underway, timelines are mapped out, and internal team champions are leading the charge. Despite these important steps, the real…
Star Power Check: October QRP Preview Reports Ready
October 2025 Home Health QRP Preview Reports and Star Ratings Now Available in iQIES The updated Home Health Agency (HHA) Provider Preview Reports are now accessible in iQIES in preparation for the October 2025 refresh of the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) data. These reports display provider-level quality measure performance data that will…
It is code update time again!
The FY2026 ICD-10 code update was released on June 9th and these additions/revisions will be effective on October 1st, 2026. There are 487 new codes being added to the code set with this update and includes changes to each Tabular Chapter with the exception of Chapter 8: Disease of the ear and mastoid process and…
Watch out for phishing scams!
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has identified a new fraud scheme targeting Medicare providers. Scammers are impersonating CMS and sending phishing fax requests for medical records and other documentation, falsely claiming to be part of a Medicare audit. Remember, CMS does NOT perform medical record audits directly and will not initiate audits by…
HHS Wants to Hear from Healthcare Providers
The Request for Information (RFI) titled “Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation to Make American Healthy Again” was published on May 14, 2025, by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This RFI seeks public input on strategies to enhance healthcare affordability, accessibility, and innovation while ensuring lawful regulation. The comment period is open…
