FY 2022 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update Final Rule Summary

On July 29, 2021, CMS placed on public display a final rule updating the Medicare hospice payment rates, wage index, the cap amount for fiscal year (FY) 2022, and the quality reporting requirements for FY 2022. Among other changes, this rule makes permanent selected regulatory blanket waivers that were issued to Medicare-participating hospice agencies during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and updates the hospice conditions of participation. This rule also updates the Hospice Quality Reporting Program and finalizes changes beginning with the January 2022 public reporting for the Home Health Quality Reporting Program to address exceptions related to the COVID-19 PHE. The final rule was published in the August 4, 2021, issue of the Federal Register. These regulations are effective on October 1, 2021.