Last year, confusion and consternation ensued when CMS finalized new requirements for the hospice election statement and an “addendum” with patient-specific information about the hospice’s coverage responsibility.  Those requirements are set to become effective as early as October 1, 2020.  In this episode, Hospice & Palliative Care attorneys Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Andrew Brenton break down these requirements and discuss their implications for hospices.  Among other things, the attorneys address the controversial position CMS has taken in characterizing the addendum as a condition of payment for hospice care.

For resources related to this episode, please see the following:

• CMS, FY 2021 Hospice Wage Index Proposed Rule
• CMS, Proposed Modifications to Model Election Statement and New Model Addendum
• CMS, FY 2020 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule