CMS posted its announcement today that the pre-publication version of the FY 2026 Hospice Proposed Rule is available now.
Instead of awaiting the final rule, I strongly encourage you to study the proposed rule for a few reasons:
- You can comment on anything CMS proposes and CMS has to answer you. You could make a difference.
- Knowing what is probably coming in the final rule helps you prepare.
- The proposed rule includes the reasons why CMS is proposing what it wants in the final rule.
The summary says the proposal includes these things. I'll get back to you with more information when I've had a chance to study it.
This proposed rule would update the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This rule also proposes changes to the admission to hospice regulations and the hospice face-to-face attestation requirements under the certification of terminal illness regulations. This proposed rule also includes a technical
correction to the regulatory text and provides updates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program requirements. Finally, this proposed rule solicits comments regarding requests for information surrounding future measure concepts for Hospice Quality Reporting Program.
You can see the full proposal here.
Questions? Let me know and I'll try to help.
Be well.
Beth