Hospice final rule included a technical error impacting wage index

CMS is recalculating its fiscal year 2027 hospice wage index values after discovering a technical error, according to an update to CMS’ Hospice News & Announcements website.  

 

The FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update Final Rule, released July 30, finalized a 2.3% base rate increase. The recalculated wage index will impact agencies in core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) and rural areas, CMS noted. Updates will be made to the wage index standardization factors, as well as payment rates for each level of hospice care. 

 

A correction notice is currently working its way toward publication, though CMS did not include a timeline for its release. 

 

To see CMS’s notice, visit https://www.cms.gov/hospice-news-announcements. Once released, the correction notice will be available at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-for-service-providers/hospice/hospice-regulations-and-notices/cms-1851-f.