NewsLine - September 2013 - (Page 3)

We Each Carry the Hospice Flag I hope you have carefully read the NHPCO Regulatory Alert of August 6. While 14 pages long, it is actually a very concise summary of the final 49-page FY2014 Hospice Wage Index that CMS released on August 2. I have to say, this is the first time I have ever seen so many other things addressed in the Wage Index — from coding changes to new quality reporting requirements. As you review the Alert, know that NHPCO invested much time in gathering feedback from the field when the proposed Wage Index was released, and submitted a 36-page comment letter with our collective feedback. Know too that, despite our best efforts, CMS did not incorporate many of our suggestions, with the exception of granting a one-year delay concerning discontinuation of the debility and adult failure-to-thrive diagnosis codes. I think this is a reflection of the new normal. I also think it is especially critical that we cooperate fully — by providing the most accurate, highquality information possible in our hospice claims and cost reports as well as in our patient-care documentation. It is quite apparent that CMS is relying on this data to make decisions about the future direction of hospice care, so providing accurate, high-quality information will reflect well on all of us — and help ensure that patients and families continue to receive the care they need. We are already doing an excellent job of communicating our commitment to quality on Capitol Hill. The 2013 Advocacy Intensive, which was held on July 29 and 30, is evidence of this. I’m happy to report that 231 staff from 120-plus hospices attended, representing 41 states. But, most importantly, all members of the interdisciplinary team were represented and they were able to share stories from the bedside that resonate most with members of Congress. (See the HAN website for a slideshow of photos from this event, and page 27 for a list of the participants.) On behalf of NHPCO, let me extend special thanks to the Intensive’s sponsor, Outcome Resources, and to the Intensive participants who worked very hard to represent the best of hospice in more than 350 Congressional meetings. And, despite the challenges that lie before us, let me also urge each of you to represent the very best of hospice in all you do. Because we each carry the hospice flag. J. Donald Schumacher, PsyD President/CEO NHPCO NewsLine 3 http://www.nhpco.org/regulatory-alerts/cms-releases-final-rule-fy2014-hospice-wage-index http://www.hospiceactionnetwork.org/han-in-action/han-events/advocacy-intensive/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - September 2013

Hospice of Hope's Expansion into LTC
A Message From Don
VSED and Hospice Care: A Case Study
A Q&A With Judith Fox
Glatfelter Healthcare (display ad)
Simione Consulting (display ad)
2013 Circle of Life Honorees
Quality Reporting: A Look Back at the First Year
GSA Scientific Meeting (display ad)
HAN Intensive Participants
New Report on WHV Partner Achievements
Free Resources for Pain Awareness Month
Member News and Notes
Compliance Tip
Virtual Conference: Nov 4-8 (display ad)
Videos Worth Watching
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website

NewsLine - September 2013