https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/hospice-and-palliative-care Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Hospice and palliative care - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/06/2026-13602/calendar-year-2027-home-health-prospective-payment-system-hh-pps-rate-update-requirements-for-the-hh Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2027. This rule also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) and summarizes potential initiatives to improve alignment between the HH QRP and the expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model requirements. Among other things, this proposed rule discusses the provision of home health palliative care services and includes a request for information (RFI) on a home health specific wage index. Comments are due by August 31, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38719 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/26/2026-12925/medicare-program-cy-2027-changes-to-the-end-stage-renal-disease-esrd-prospective-payment-system Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due by August 24, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38688 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/announcements/2026-announcements/indian-health-service-receives-gift-membership-to-expand-training-for-serious-illness-care/ The Indian Health Service (IHS) has a new membership with a palliative care organization with the goal of expanding access to training and resources. Selected IHS workforce participants will gain access to a library of courses, tools, webinars, and experts to improve palliative care quality and outcomes. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38664 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/15/2026-09718/medicare-medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-programs-announcement-of-nationwide-temporary Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a 6-month nationwide moratorium on the Medicare enrollment of hospices. The moratorium takes effect on May 13, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38535 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500