Hospice QRP Announcements & Spotlight
Hospice QRP Announcements & Spotlight
About this Page
The Announcements & Spotlight web page provides recent news and updates pertinent to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). On this page, you will find announcements about newly posted resource guides and factsheets, available Quarterly Update documents, and Annual Payment Updates (APU) updates, among other notifications.
Updates
April 11, 2025
Important Updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
Swingtech sends informational messages to hospices related to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on a quarterly basis. Their latest outreach communication can be found on the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage. If you want to receive Swingtech’s quarterly emails, add or update the email addresses to which these messages are sent by sending an email to QRPHelp@swingtech.com. Be sure to include the name of your facility and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested updates.
April 11, 2025
Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements, and Hospice Certifying Physician Provider Enrollment Requirements Proposed Rule (CMS-1835-P)
On April 11, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS-1835-P) that provides updates to the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). This rule proposes to correct an error in the regulations text at § 418.312(j). This rule also reinforces updates on the HQRP and the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) instrument and public reporting, future quality measures (QMs), and the transition of hospice providers from the Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) to the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Finally, this proposed rule includes requests for information (RFI) regarding future QM concepts for the HQRP and transitioning to digital quality measures (dQM).
The proposed rule went on display at the Federal Register and will be available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/current
For further information and to view the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, please visit the CMS.gov Hospice Center webpage here: http://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider- Type/Hospice-Center.html.
March 25, 2025
Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) December Forum Materials Now Available.
On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted an HQRP Forum to provide an overview of the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool and the transition to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Materials from this HQRP Forum, including a recording of the presentation, are now available in the Downloads section of the Provider and Stakeholder Engagement page at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Hospice-Quality-Reporting/Hospice-QRP-Provider-Engagement-Opportunities.
November 26, 2024
Care Compare Quarterly Refresh – November 2024
The November 2024 quarterly refresh for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program is now available on Care Compare.
For additional information, please see the FY2025 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule at https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Hospice-Center. Please visit the Hospice Background and Announcements webpage to review the Claims-Based Measures Questions and Answers downloadable (PDF) for more information on the HCI and HVLDL.
November 22, 2024
Important Updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
Swingtech sends informational messages to hospices related to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on a quarterly basis. Their latest outreach communication can be found on the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage. If you want to receive Swingtech’s quarterly emails, add or update the email addresses to which these messages are sent by sending an email to QRPHelp@swingtech.com. Be sure to include the name of your facility and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested updates.
NOW AVAILABLE IN QIES – Hospice Preview Reports for the February 2025 Refresh
Providers can now access the latest Provider Preview Reports via the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) application. Once released in CASPER, providers will have 30 days during which to review their quality measure results. Although the actual “preview period” is 30 days, the reports will continue to be available for another 30 days, or a total of 60 days. The preview period for the latest Provider Preview Report lasts from November 13, 2024 to December 13, 2024. CMS encourages providers to download and save their Hospice Provider Preview Reports for future reference, as they will no longer be available in CASPER after this 60-day period.
Learn more about the Provider Preview Report (HIS and Claims-based measures) here and about the CAHPS Preview Report here. Hospice QRP Key Dates for Providers can be found here. The 3rd Edition HQRP Public Reporting Tip Sheet is available here (PDF).
November 13, 2024
Registration Now Open for December 12, 2024 HQRP Forum
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Thursday, December 12th, from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. ET to share an Introduction to Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE).
Subject matter experts will also answer questions at the end of the webinar, as time permits.
Webinar Details
- Title: HQRP Forum
- Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
- Time: 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. ET
To register, please visit this link: https://abtassociates.webex.com/weblink/register/r9225e1dc9fa589fc2f5b2d433841aba0.
Questions?
For general questions about the webinar, please contact HospiceQualityQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.
November 1, 2024
The HQRP Quarterly Q&A for Q3, 2024 is now available. This Q&A includes selected questions received by the Hospice Quality Help Desk during the third quarter of 2024 (July 1 to Sept. 30). A link to the document can be found in the Downloads section of the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices page.
October 1, 2024
CMS announces the creation of a new webpage called the HOPE Technical Information. Providers and vendors can access this new page using this link: HOPE Technical Information.
October 1, 2024
NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Introducing the HOPE Tool Web-Based Training
A new web-based training course, Introducing the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool is now available for hospice providers. This resource can be accessed through the HQRP Training and Education Library.
October 1, 2024
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Quality Measure (QM) User Manual Chapter for HOPE Measures is now available. This QM Manual chapter contains instructions on the calculation of HOPE-based quality measures. The full HQRP QM Specifications User Manual Version A, with instructions for the calculation of all HQRP measures, will be available in Summer 2025. The document can be accessed from the Downloads section on the CMS HQRP HOPE webpage.
September 16, 2024
The Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) final materials are now available. Materials include the HOPE Guidance Manual v1.00, the Items sets (HOPE Admission v1.00, HOPE Update Visit (HUV) v1.00, HOPE Discharge v1.00 and HOPE ALL Item v1.00), and the HIS to HOPE v1.00 Change Table. All of these documents can be accessed from the Downloads section on the CMS HQRP HOPE webpage.
September 16, 2024
Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) August Forum Materials Available Now
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted the August 2024 HQRP Forum to provide information on the Fiscal Year 2025 Hospice Final Rule and additional HQRP updates. Materials from this HQRP Forum, including a recording of the presentation, are now available in the Downloads section of the Provider and Stakeholder Engagement page at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Hospice-Quality-Reporting/Hospice-QRP-Provider-Engagement-Opportunities. A recording of the presentation is also available on the official CMS YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/eZcIlptDelA
September 16, 2024
The HQRP Quarterly Q&A for Q2, 2024 is now available. This Q&A includes selected questions received by the Hospice Quality Help Desk during the second quarter of 2024 (Apr. 1 to June 30). A link to the document can be found in the Downloads section of the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices page.
August 28, 2024
Care Compare Quarterly Refresh – August 2024
The August 2024 quarterly refresh for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program is now available on Care Compare.
For additional information, please see the FY2025 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule at https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Hospice-Center. Please visit the Hospice Background and Announcements webpage to review the Claims-Based Measures Questions and Answers downloadable (PDF) for more information on the HCI and HVLDL.
August 21, 2024
NOW AVAILABLE IN QIES – Hospice Preview Reports for the November 2024 Refresh
Providers can now access the latest Provider Preview Reports via the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) application. Once released in CASPER, providers will have 30 days during which to review their quality measure results. Although the actual “preview period” is 30 days, the reports will continue to be available for another 30 days, or a total of 60 days. The preview period for the latest Provider Preview Report lasts from August 21, 2024 to September 21, 2024. CMS encourages providers to download and save their Hospice Provider Preview Reports for future reference, as they will no longer be available in CASPER after this 60-day period.
Learn more about the Provider Preview Report (HIS and Claims-based measures) here and about the CAHPS Preview Report here. Hospice QRP Key Dates for Providers can be found here. The 3rd Edition HQRP Public Reporting Tip Sheet is available here (PDF).
August 21, 2024
NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: HOPE Data Collection Timepoints Explainer Video
A brief explainer video, Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluations (HOPE) Data Collection Timepoints, is now available for hospice providers. This resource can be accessed through the HQRP Training and Education Library.
August 15, 2024
Registration Now Open for August 21, 2024 HQRP Forum
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Wednesday, August 21stfrom 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. ET to share hospice-related updates around the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Hospice Final Rule published on July 30.
Subject matter experts will also answer questions at the end of the webinar, as time permits.
Webinar Details
- Title: HQRP Forum
- Date: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024
- Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
To register, please visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oPdQp2ecRJa9LV9fMRaxcg.
Questions?
For general questions about the webinar, please contact CMSQualityTeam@ketchum.com.
August 15, 2024
The Public Reporting: Key Dates for Providers webpage has been updated. This update includes dates for the Care Compare Refresh Schedule and Preview Periods, Upcoming Data Correction Deadlines for Public Reporting, and the CAHPS Hospice Survey Data Submission Deadlines in CY 2024 and 2025. Providers can view the updated refresh schedules now on the Public Reporting: Key Dates for Providers webpage.
July 30, 2024
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements, and Hospice Certifying Physician Provider Enrollment Requirements Final Rule (CMS-1810-F)
On July 30, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule (CMS-1810-F) that provides updates to the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). This rule finalizes new HQRP quality measures; finalizes a new data collection instrument, the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE); summarizes responses to a request for information regarding potential social determinants of health (SDOH) elements; and provides updates on Health Equity activities, future quality measures, and public reporting requirements. The rule also finalizes changes to the Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (Hospice CAHPS) Survey.
The rule went on display at the Federal Register and will be available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/current
For further information and supporting documentation about HOPE, visit CMS’s HQRP website and review the documents located in the Downloads section of the HOPE webpage: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/hospice/hope.
For further information and to view the Final Rule, please visit the Hospice Center webpage here: http://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Hospice-Center.html.
July 8, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Standing Technical Expert Panel (TEP) for the Development, Evaluation, and Maintenance of Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Measurement Sets Summary Report. This report summarizes input provided by a TEP on December 15, 2023, on the development of additional cross-setting measures for the PAC and Hospice QRPs, and filling measurement gaps with CMS’ Universal Foundation measures. This cross-setting TEP is a standing TEP that will reconvene annually, or on an as-needed basis, to support the evaluation, development, and maintenance of the PAC and Hospice QRP measurement sets until 2028.
This report can be found in the Downloads section of the Hospice QRP Provider and Stakeholder Engagement webpage.
July 3, 2024
Hospice Quality Reporting Program: Non-Compliance Notifications
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing notifications to hospices that were determined to be out of compliance with Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) requirements for calendar year (CY) 2023, which will affect their fiscal year (FY) 2025 Annual Payment Update (APU). Non-compliance notifications will be distributed by the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and will be placed into hospices’ Certification and Survey Enhanced Reporting (CASPER) folders in QIES on July 03, 2024. Hospices that receive a letter of non-compliance may submit a request for reconsideration to CMS via email no later than 11:59 pm, August 14, 2024. If you receive a notice of non-compliance and would like to request a reconsideration, see the instructions in your notification and on the Reconsideration Requests webpage.
Please note: Any reconsideration containing protected health information (PHI) will not be processed. All PHI must be removed in order for a reconsideration to be reviewed.
June 26, 2024
Important Updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
Swingtech sends informational messages to hospices related to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on a quarterly basis. Their latest outreach communication can be found on the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage. If you want to receive Swingtech’s quarterly emails, add or update the email addresses to which these messages are sent by sending an email to QRPHelp@swingtech.com. Be sure to include the name of your facility and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested updates.
June 3, 2024
NOW AVAILABLE IN QIES – Hospice Preview Reports for the August 2024 Refresh
Providers can now access the latest Provider Preview Reports via the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) application. Once released in CASPER, providers will have 30 days during which to review their quality measure results. Although the actual “preview period” is 30 days, the reports will continue to be available for another 30 days, or a total of 60 days. The preview period for the latest Provider Preview Report lasts from June 3, 2024 to July 3, 2024. CMS encourages providers to download and save their Hospice Provider Preview Reports for future reference, as they will no longer be available in CASPER after this 60-day period.
For additional information:
- Provider Preview Report (HIS and Claims-based measures)
- CAHPS Preview Report
- Hospice QRP Key Dates for Providers
- The 3rd Edition HQRP Public Reporting Tip Sheet
May 22, 2024
Care Compare Quarterly Refresh – May 2024
The May 2024 quarterly refresh for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program is now available on Care Compare.
For additional information, please see the FY2024 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule at https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Hospice-Center. Please visit the Hospice Background and Announcements webpage to review the Claims-Based Measures Questions and Answers downloadable (PDF) for more information on the HCI and HVLDL.
May 17, 2024
Updated Quick Reference Guide Available
An updated Quick Reference Guide is now available in the Downloads section of the Requirements and Best Practices webpage. The Quick Reference Guide provides high-level information on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program, including frequently asked questions and helpful links.
May 10, 2024
The HQRP Quarterly Q&A for Q1, 2024 is now available. This Q&A includes selected questions received by the Hospice Quality Help Desk during the first quarter of 2024 (Jan. 1 to Mar. 31). A link to the document can be found in the Downloads section of the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices page.
April 15, 2024
An updated Hospice Item Set (HIS( Manual V3.02 is now available. The updates include an extension of the documents expiration date and several minor edits and date corrections. The updated documents include the HIS Manual V3.02, HIS-Admission V3.02, HIS-Discharge V3.02. The HIS Manual Change Table V3.01 to V3.02 will provide details. These can all be found in the Downloads section of the HIS page.
April 10, 2024
An updated Timeliness Compliance Threshold for HIS Submissions: Fact Sheet has been posted to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Requirements and Best Practices webpage. This document is designed to assist providers to successfully meet the HQRP requirements, understand the compliance threshold, and monitor their hospice’s timely compliance using the Hospice Timeliness Compliance Threshold Report.
March 28, 2024
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements, and Hospice Certifying Physician Provider Enrollment Requirements Proposed Rule (CMS-1810-P)
On March 28, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS-1810-P) that provides updates to the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). This rule proposes new HQRP quality measures; proposes a new data collection instrument, the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE); requests information regarding potential social determinants of health (SDOH) elements; and provides updates on Health Equity activities, future quality measures, and public reporting requirements. The rule also proposes changes to the Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (Hospice CAHPS®) Survey.
The proposed rule went on display at the Federal Register and will be available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/current.
For further information, see the hospice webpage here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/providers-suppliers/hospice-center.
March 1, 2024
Updated documents have now been posted to the Provider Toolkit section on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Requirements and Best Practices webpage. These documents are designed to assist providers to be successful with the HQRP requirements and include: Getting Started with the HQRP, Getting Started with HQRP CASPER QM Reports, and Getting Started with Review and Correct Reports.
March 1, 2024
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Quarterly Q&A for Q4, 2023 is now available. This Q&A includes selected questions received by the Hospice Quality Help Desk during the fourth quarter of 2023 (Oct. 1 to Dec. 31). A link to the document can be found in the Downloads section of the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage.
February 26, 2024
The Hospice CAHPS Provider Preview Reports for the May 2024 refresh (Hospice CAHPS Survey data from Q3 2021 – Q2 2023) are delayed by 2 weeks and will be available on 2/28/2024. The 30-day preview period for CAHPS data will begin the same day reports become available. For additional information about how to access preview reports and the 30-day preview period please visit the Hospice Quality Reporting Program webpage
February 9, 2024
Updated documents are now posted on the Current Measure page and the HIS page. CMS updated these documents primarily to incorporate the change in terminology, referencing the Consensus-based Entity, or CBE.
The updated Current Measure page documents include the Hospice Comprehensive Assessment QM Background and Methodology Fact Sheet, and the HQRP QM Users Manual V1.02. A HQRP QM Users Manual V1.01 to V1.02 Change Table has also been posted for ease of reference.
The HIS page updates include the HIS Manual V3.01 and an HIS Manual Change Table V3.00 to V3.01.
For details, click on the links for each page above.
Page Last Modified:
04/15/2025 04:13 PM