HHSOIG - A-09-20-03026 - 271267

Study the feasibility of including palliative items and services not related to a beneficiary's terminal illness and related conditions within the hospice per diem. Such a requirement would eliminate the need for Medicare to make additional payments for these services consistent with CMS's longstanding position that payments for services unrelated to a beneficiary's terminal illness and related conditions should be exceptional, unusual, and rare given the comprehensive nature of the services covered under the Medicare hospice benefit. In analyzing the feasibility of such a change, CMS could consider: (1) beneficiary access to care, (2) administrative costs, (3) appropriate adjustments to the per diem rates to reflect the higher costs associated with providing hospice services, and (4) possible improvement of coordination of care.