Hospice & Home Health News 2026July24

On July 15, the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released long awaited guidance on how surveyors are expected to review home health agencies for compliance with the Acceptance to Service Condition of Participation, which was established in the CY2025 Home Health Final Rule. CMS will be making conforming changes to the Appendix B - Guidance for Surveyors: Home Health Agencies as well. Of most importance, CMS is adding two new tags for home health agencies under G990 and G992. The first looks at the internal process expected of agencies to develop, implement, and maintain (through annual review) a patient acceptance-to-service policy applied consistently to each prospective patient. The second tag is for requirements to make information about services publicly available and review and update this information when services change, but no less than once a year. CMS is also making a minor update to the G1052 tag, which cited an incorrect regulatory provision. LeadingAge will have additional information in another article regarding the interpretive guidance provided by CMS in this memo for compliance with the acceptance to service policy. LeadingAge is disappointed in the administration's decision to move forward with this burdensome policy. LeadingAge recommended to eliminate the acceptance to service CoP as part of our recommendations for regulatory reduction efforts. Unfortunately, the memo states "These new requirements will reduce the delay between when a patient is identified as an eligible candidate for home health care and when care is initiated, thus improving patient outcomes."

July Quarterly Hospice Quality Reporting Reminders and Updates

Swingtech sends informational messages to hospices related to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on a quarterly basis. The last update was in March 2026. The new outreach communication can be found on the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage in the downloads section. The outreach includes reminders regarding annual payment updates, FY2027 hospice non-compliance notifications, FY2028 hospice quality reporting reminders, reminders about trainings for HOPE and annual payment updates. Most of the information was released prior to January 2026 but is compiled here for quick reference. If you want to receive Swingtech’s quarterly emails, then add or update the email addresses to which these messages are to be sent by sending an email to QRPHelp@swingtech.com. Be sure to include the name of your facility and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested updates.

CMS Releases New Training Resource on Home Health Quality Reporting Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training that provides an overview of the Home Health (HH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP), including its purpose, reporting requirements, and quality data sources. The course reviews Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey reporting requirements, explains how quality measures and star ratings are calculated and publicly reported, and highlights key CMS resources, help desks, and subscription options to support ongoing compliance with HH QRP requirements. This easy-to-use module-based course is a great introduction for new home health staff.

Special Palliative Care Provider Meeting

On Tuesday, July 28, 1 p.m. ET LeadingAge will host a second palliative care provider meeting. During this meeting, members will discuss the requests for information on community-based palliative care in both the CY2027 End-Stage Renal Disease Proposed Rule and CY2027 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. Members who have Part B billing practices for palliative care as well as hospice or home health agencies supporting palliative care are encouraged to join and share their perspectives of current billing and quality challenges. Members can register for the call here.

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