CMS has launched a “period of enhanced oversight” for new hospices in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve received numerous reports of hospice fraud, waste and abuse,” CMS noted in an announcement. “The number of enrolled hospices also has increased significantly in these states, raising serious concerns bout market oversaturation.”
As of July 13, 2023, new hospice providers in those states will face a provisional period of enhanced oversight that will include medical review such as prepayment review, according to CMS.
That period could last anywhere from 30 days to a year.