CMSProposed Rule

FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements CMS-1835-P. Display CMS-1835-P

HealthcareLabor & Workplace

Summary

This proposed rule updates how Medicare pays hospice care providers and sets new quality reporting requirements for the fiscal year 2026. It affects the costs and services available to Medicare patients receiving end-of-life care and establishes new standards for measuring the quality of hospice services.

Key Points

  • 1Updates payment rates that Medicare reimburses hospice providers based on regional wage differences, which can affect service availability and quality in different areas
  • 2Establishes new quality reporting requirements so Medicare can track how well hospice providers are caring for dying patients
  • 3The rule is still in proposal stage, and the public can submit comments until June 4, 2025 before it becomes final
  • 4Affects hospice agencies across the country that receive Medicare funding for caring for terminally ill patients
  • 5May influence hospice care costs and services available to seniors and disabled Americans relying on Medicare

Key Dates

Published

April 11, 2025

Comment Deadline

June 4, 2025

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This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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