Hospice & Home Health News 2026Feb26

LeadingAge Report Portal Now Updated

The LeadingAge Report Portal has been updated according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Hospice members can access their Trend Reports based on the Care Compare quarterly refresh that includes updates to Hospice Item Set quality measures, Hospice CAHPS measures and the bi-annual update of the Hospice Star Ratings. LeadingAge members can access their updated reports on the Report Portal using their LeadingAge login.

2025 Hospice Chartbook Released

The Research Institute for Home Care published their 2025 Hospice Chartbook on February 19. This annual publication provides a broad overview of hospice patients and providers, organizational trends, and Medicare spending on hospice services. In addition to national trends the Chartbook includes state-level hospice data. LeadingAge President and CEO, Katie Smith Sloan, serves on the board of the Institute and advises on grants and indicatives. LeadingAge members can access their updated reports on the Report Portal using their LeadingAge login.

New CMS Hospice Quality Compliance Resources

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted two new resources on the quality reporting program. First, is a fact sheet outlining the timeliness compliance threshold for hospices, including Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) submissions, details the algorithm for calculation, and explains the associated iQIES report titled "Hospice Timeliness Compliance Threshold Report". The second resource is a quick reference guide to the data which will impact FY2028 payment updates and all subsequent years. Hospices who do not comply with these reporting requirements risk a negative 4% annual payment adjustment.

February Hospice Care Compare Refresh Now Live

The February 2026 quarterly refresh for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program is now available on the Compare tool on Medicare.gov. In this refresh, Hospice assessment measure scores are based on data submitted by hospices from Quarter 2, 2024 through Quarter 1, 2025. CAHPS measure scores are based on CAHPS data submitted from Quarter 2, 2023 through Quarter 1, 2025. CAHPS Star Ratings are calculated based on data from Quarter 2, 2023 through Quarter 1, 2025. The claims-based measures reflects updates from November 2025. Reminder: one CAHPS measure—Training family to care for patient—will be removed from public reporting beginning with the May 2026 refresh due to changes in how the question was revised in 2025. Reporting of this measure is expected to resume with the February 2028 refresh.

Here is your weekly  Home Health Weekly Recap from National.

Here is your weekly  Hospice Weekly Recap from National.