Hospices must generally furnish all core hospice services themselves and not by independent contractors.  However, hospices may furnish noncore services under arrangements with other providers or suppliers, including nursing facilities.  When hospice patients have Medicaid coverage, the State will pay the hospice at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the State’s Medicaid daily nursing facility rate.  The Hospice then accepts responsibility for the payment to the nursing facility based on the hospice’s contract with the facility.  Medicare hospice reimbursement does not include room and board expenses.

The Form CMS-855A was revised in September 2024.  Effective October 1, 2024, all skilled nursing facility (“SNF”) providers must use the revised form for all enrollment applications and updates.  Other Part A providers are required to use the new form for submissions on or after December 1, 2024.

The industry publication Hospice News recently interviewed Ryan Lindsay, Director of The Health Group and Gray, Griffith & Mays, to discuss the major factors causing disruption in the health care industry, including Amazon's role, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, and staffing shortages.