CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

Federal Register

Aug 5, 2025

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2026. Includes proposals related to admission to hospice regulations and the hospice face-to-face attestation requirements under the certification of terminal illness regulations. This final rule also includes a technical correction to the regulatory text and provides updates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program requirements. Includes rural references and considerations throughout. These regulations are effective October 1, 2025.

Healthcare business and finance · Healthcare quality · Hospice and palliative care · Legislation and regulations · Medicare