On January 27, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released revisions to Hospice-Appendix M of the State Operations Manual.

The biggest impacts to hospices are changes in the number of required sample medical record reviews, closed record reviews, and home visits during your survey for ACHC Hospice Accreditation. Updates took effect April 3, 2023.

In addition, CMS specified the number of medical record reviews required for hospice inpatient facilities.

To learn more, download a flyer on record review requirements.

Diagnoses to Consider

CMS also identified specific diagnoses that should be considered when the Surveyor selects medical records to be reviewed and home visits to be conducted.

The diagnoses from which the Surveyor should choose from include:

• Dementia
• Circulatory/Heart
• Cancer
• Respiratory
• Stroke
• Chronic Kidney Disease

Multiple Locations

In addition, CMS now requires that a sample of medical records be reviewed from a variety of locations (home, skilled nursing facility, inpatient) and represent different levels of care (routine, respite, general inpatient care, and continuous care).

Here for You

ACHC is your partner in accreditation. For more information, contact your Account Advisor, email [email protected], or call (855) 937-2242, ext. 457.