The Help Hospice Act
We’re asking Congress to HELP Hospice!
The hospice community is facing unprecedented reimbursement and regulatory challenges. Hospice programs around the nation are preparing for the devastating impact of multiple Medicare rate cuts, and working around the clock to comply with new regulations that are not currently in line with the operational realties of patient care. At the same time, hospices are being proactive in their efforts to prevent fraud and abuse, and ensure that the patient quality that millions depend upon at the end of life is measurable and reported to regulatory agencies.
Hospice Advocates are rallying around new legislation to help the hospice community navigate these new challenges. The HELP Hospice Act would (1) require the Secretary to establish a payment reform demonstration program to test and evaluate any prospective payment revisions to hospice, (2) increase hospice survey frequency to every 3 years, and (3) amend the new face-to-face encounter requirement to reflect operational realities for hospice programs, and the needs of the patients and families they serve. Passage of this legislation is a necessary first step to preserving access to hospice for future generations.
Resources:
- HELP Hospice Act Overview Document
- Moran Company Estimate on CBO Score of the HELP Hospice Act
- Senator Wyden’s Remarks on the HELP Hospice Act Introduction
- Senator Roberts’ Remarks on the HELP Hospice Act Introduction
- Projected Hospice Margins Analysis
- OIG Report on Hospice Survey Frequency
- S. 722 HELP Hospice Act Dear Colleague Letter
- H.R. 3506 HELP Hospice Act Dear Colleague Letter
- Take Action Now on the HELP Hospice Act