About this Page
This HOPE Technical Information webpage provides updates and resources related to HOPE data submission specifications and other technical information.
For questions related to content posted on this page, please contact the Technical Help Desk at iQIES@cms.hhs.gov.
Updates
August 6, 2025
CMS is excited to announce that the HOPE assessment submission and reporting functionality will be launched within the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) on October 1, 2025.
All Medicare-certified hospice providers should note significant changes to the HQRP effective from October 1, 2025:
- The HOPE tool will replace the current Hospice Item Set (HIS) as of October 1, 2025. HOPE includes a combination of existing HIS items, revised items, and new items.
- HOPE records must be submitted to CMS via iQIES instead of QIES.
Note that: HIS records submitted before October 1, 2025, will be available for modifications and inactivations within the QIES system through February 15, 2026.
The HOPE Validation Utility Tool (VUT) for vendor testing is now available. The link to the VUT page is provided below. Once on the page select a provider data specification and upload a test file to validate assessment upload compatibility. Results will be displayed in the Final Validation report within the VUT.
Version: HOPE v1.00
The VUT Link: https://iqies.cms.gov/vut
CMS will provide additional information through various email notifications regarding training, onboarding, details on what to expect, and more.
For inquiries about iQIES:
- iQIES Service Center Email: iqies@cms.hhs.gov
- iQIES Service Phone Number: 1-800-339-9313. Please note that call volume may be higher than normal during this time.
Create a new ticket online or track an existing ticket please use the CCSQ Support Central: Self-Service Portal.
For questions regarding HOPE and the HQRP, Email: HospiceQualityQuestions@cms.hhs.gov
June 24, 2025
Hospice Vendor Update and Errata (V1.00.2) for HOPE Data Specs (FINAL) Effective October 1, 2025
A Hospice Vendor Update slide deck and Errata V1.00.2 is now available in the Downloads section for the final Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) data submission specifications (V1.00.1). The slide deck provides important updates about HOPE, the transition to iQIES, the anticipated availability of the VUT, and how to access iQIES training tutorials to prepare you for the implementation of HOPE.
The errata document contains three issues (two edit changes, and the addition of caret as an allowed value for item J0915), which address item J0915 not being previously included in two skip pattern edits. These revisions will go into effect along with the rest of the previously posted final specs on October 1, 2025.
April 16, 2025
HOPE Data Specs (FINAL) Effective October 1, 2025
The final Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) data submission specifications (V1.00.1) are now available. This FINAL version of the specifications will go into effect on October 1, 2025. Notable changes since the DRAFT version include the following: (1) A0810 (Sex) replaces the A0800 item; (2) New warning edit -3110, which includes the HUV timing rules; and (3) New edit -3111, which addresses the handling of item Z0350 for inactivation records. Please review the Item Change and Edit Change reports to see all the revisions.
This version of the data specifications consists of the following files:
- HOPE data specs overview (v1.00.1) FINAL 04-05-2025.pdf
- HOPE data specs CSV files (v1.00.1) FINAL 04-05-2025.zip
- HOPE data specs HTML files (v1.00.1) FINAL 04-05-2025.zip
- HOPE data specs PDF files (v1.00.1) FINAL 04-05-2025.zip
- These files are contained in a single ZIP file named “HOPE Data Specs (v1.00.1) FINAL 04-05-2025.zip”, which is available in the Downloads section below.
October 1, 2024
HOPE Data Specs (DRAFT) Effective October 1, 2025
The initial Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) data submission specifications (V1.00.0) are now available. This DRAFT version of the specifications will go into effect on October 1, 2025. For those familiar with the Hospice Information Set (HIS), please note the additions to section A, I, J, and Z, as well as the new section M. Also, please note that a HOPE Update Visit (HUV) assessment can happen twice at different time frames and is distinguished by selecting the new values for A0250 (HUV1 and HUV2).
This version of the data specifications consists of the following files:
- HOPE data specs overview (v1.00.0) DRAFT 09-17-2024.pdf
- HOPE data specs CSV files (v1.00.0) DRAFT 09-17-2024.zip
- HOPE data specs HTML files (v1.00.0) DRAFT 09-17-2024.zip
- HOPE data specs PDF files (v1.00.0) DRAFT 09-17-2024.zip
- These files are contained in a single ZIP file named “HOPE Data Specs (v1.00.0) DRAFT 09-17-2024.zip”, which is available in the Downloads section below.