Hospice data-collection requirement begins July 1

Quality reporting related to symptom management, patient preferences and care coordination is the basis for a new data-collection system that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to require hospices to begin using July 1.

According to a notice published in the April 8 Federal Register, the “hospice item set (HIS) system” will abstract data from medical records to confirm that hospice workers conducted the proper assessments and addressed patient questions and concerns about pain, respiratory status, medications and patient preferences and beliefs and values. Hospices will submit data to the government at the time of patient admission and at the time of discharge.

The data collection is required under the Hospice Quality Reporting Program, part of the Affordable Care Act. Information will be collected on Medicare beneficiaries and others receiving hospice services. CMS may use HIS to collect the data required for National Quality Forum-endorsed quality measures.

CMS is accepting public comment on the notice for 30 days, and the government may amend the notice based on the comments it receives. Click here to learn how to comment or obtain additional information.

CMS has posted HIS-related resources on its website.

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