CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES ISSUES PROPOSED RULE: MEDICARE PROGRAM; FY 2026 HOSPICE WAGE INDEX AND PAYMENT RATE UPDATE AND HOSPICE QUALITY REPORTING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule called: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on April 30 by Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

Summary: 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 regulat...