Assessment tool gets closer to widespread implementation. If you missed out on your chance last summer to sign up to test drive the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation, you’re getting another opportunity — but it’s almost over. Medicare’s HOPE tool contractor, Abt Associates, is seeking additional Medicare-certified providers to start training and data collection in late January or early February, an Abt representative confirms to AAPC. Beta test data collection will continue at least through July 2022. Abt wants medium- or large-sized hospices with enough staff to conduct joint assessment visits, the Abt source says. And it is “interested especially in recruiting hospices from states where there are currently no participants,” namely AL, AK, AR, FL, GA, HI, IN, KY, MS, MO, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VT, and WY, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice points out in its newsletter. Interested hospices can email the Abt HOPE Testing team at HOPETesting@abtassoc.com and provide their hospice name; mailing address and CCN; and a contact name, email address, and phone number.