CMS recently issue CR-9385 (PDF), “Processing Hospice Denials When Face-to-Face Encounter is Not Received Timely.”
The change request creates a new payer-only occurrence code, which will facilitate processing medical review determinations that some hospice services are denied due to an untimely face-to-face encounter. This request contains no new policy. April 1, 2016 is the effective date for claims medically reviewed on or after this date. The implementation date is April 4, 2016.