Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Hospices have their fair share of regulatory action planned this year. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' most recent semiannual regulatory agenda, the agency plans to take action on these hospice items in 2004: Long-term care. CMS plans to propose a rule that "will clarify the hospice care of residents in long-term care facilities," the agenda says. The proposal, which addresses a regulatory hot spot given much attention by the HHS Office of Inspector General, is slated for September. The item came as a surprise to Janet Neigh of the Hospice Association of America. CMS says the rule will focus on coordination of care between the hospice and SNF, Neigh reports. CMS said one objective is to make it easier for hospices to work with SNFs - an encouraging sign, Neigh says. COPs. Like the conditions of participation for home health agencies, hospice COPs have been delayed for years. CMS' new date for a proposed rule is April 2004, according to the agenda. "I am hoping the April date for publishing the hospice COPs as proposed regs holds true," Neigh says. Amendments. Finalization of changes to hospice regulations could take a bit longer, according to the agenda: until September. CMS proposed a number of amendments, including procedures that allow hospices to discharge uncooperative or abusive patients, back in November 2002. Wage index. CMS' annual update of the hospice wage index is due in August.