NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2016 - (Page 36)

Short Takes Proposed FY 2017 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS-1652-P) that would update fiscal year (FY) 2017 Medicare payment rates and the wage index for hospices serving Medicare beneficiaries. The FY2017 proposed hospice wage index rule includes: * Analysis of data trends in hospice utilization * A projected 2% hospital market basket increase (subject to adjustment in the final rule) * A projected cap amount of $28,377.17 (subject to adjustment in the final rule) * A change in the cap year to October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 * Two new quality measures; data collection to start April 1, 2017 * Development of a data collection instrument which would serve as a comprehensive patient assessment instrument, rather than the current chart abstraction. NHPCO's Health Policy Team issued a Regulatory Alert (04/25/16) that is available to members online. State/County Charts for FY2017 Proposed Wage Index Values and Rates NHPCO has prepared state/county charts for the first look at the proposed wage index values and rates for all levels of care for FY2017. The charts are set up by state in tabs across the bottom of the Excel workbook and each county is then listed in alphabetical order with both the proposed wage index and the rates. Please note that there may be some adjustment in both the wage index values and the national rates when the FY2017 final rule is published this summer. Members may access the Excel charts in the Medicare Rates section of NHPCO's online Regulatory Resource Center. Hill Briefing on End-ofLife Care and Diverse Communities HAN and NHPCO were happy to participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's Briefing on End-of-life Care and Diverse Communities that was held on Capitol Hill on April 19. There was a robust discussion about access to quality care, education about care options, and ensuring culturallycompetent resources. Cozzie King, NHPCO's Senior Manager of Access and Diversity Programs, spoke about NHPCO's work in increasing access to quality end-of-life care. We were happy to be joined by Rep. Beto O'Rourke (TX-16), and fellow panelists Rosa Dominguez and Dr. Nneka Ifejika. HAN and NHPCO extend thanks to Elisa Morales and the CHCI for hosting this informative event. L to R: Caregiver Rosa Dominguez, CHCI Fellow Elisa Morales, Rep. Beto O 'Rourke, and NHPCO's Cozzie King. 36 NHPCO NewsLine | Summer 2016 http://www.nhpco.org/access http://www.nhpco.org/access http://www.nhpco.org/alerts/fy2017-proposed-wage-index-alert http://www.nhpco.org/billing-and-reimbursement/medicare-rates

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2016

The Intensives (display ad)
Table of Contents
Optum (display ad)
A Message From Don
Resources to Help You be Involved
Policy Tools Links
2016 Virtual Conference (display ad)
Beyond Congress: Regulatory Advocacy
Simione Healthy Business Solutions (display ad)
Interprofessional Webinar Series (display ad)
NHPCO Process Maps in Marketplace (display ad)
Hospice Action Network Board
Fostering Positive Media Relationships
Thoughts from the Board Chair
Consolo (display ad)
Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund (display ad)
Sarah Lawrence College EOL Care (display ad)
New Strategic Opportunities for Hospice, Part 2
NHPCO Edge Workshops (display ad)
The Intensives is Unveiled
Virtual Conference 2016 Plenary Speakers
Proposed FY2017 Hospice Wage Index
Hill Briefing on EOL Care and Diversity
Palliative Care Resource Series
World Hospice & Palliative Care Day
Schumacher Receives Award
MLC 2016 Thanks to Supporters
Member News
News from National Hospice Foundation
NHF Gala Thank You
NHF Lighthouse of Hope (display ad)
News from Global Partners in Care
Marketplace Resources (display ad)
Links to Helpful Resources

NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2016