CMS has proposed a rule that could increase spending on hospice by 1.3% or $200 million in fiscal year 2016. CMS is also using this rule to clarify how to properly document a diagnosis on claims forms.

From the Modern Healthcare report: 

CMS said it is “concerned that some hospices are neither conducting a comprehensive assessment nor updating the plan of care as articulated by the conditions of participation to recognize the conditions that affect an individual’s terminal prognosis.” 

Under the proposed rule, hospices would be required to report all diagnoses identified in initial and comprehensive assessments on hospice claims, whether related or unrelated to the patient’s terminal prognosis.  

You can read the full report here.