[UPDATED] CMS 2025 proposed rule signals changes to quality measurement, omits program integrity actions

[UPDATED] CMS 2025 proposed rule signals changes to quality measurement, omits program integrity actions
Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 3/29/24
In a proposed rule released [Thursday], the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a 2.6% increase in hospice per diems for 2025. The agency also proposed two new quality measures and 2025 implementation of the Hospice Outcome and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) assessment tool to replace the Hospice Item Set.However, stakeholders in the hospice space contend that the increase is insufficient in light of continued inflation, interest rates, staffing shortages and wage hikes.