CMS Updates, Refines Hospice Elements of Medicare Benefit Policy Manual

Late Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published Change Request (CR) 7337/Transmittal 141, which most significantly updates the hospice chapter — Chapter 9 — of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual regarding the hospice face-to-face encounter requirements (NAHC Report, 3/2/11). However, the issuance also contains modifications to reflect policy changes over recent years…