View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML
HHS/CMS RIN: 0938-AV49 Publication ID: Spring 2025 
Title: FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index, Payment Rate Update, and Quality Reporting Requirements (CMS-1835)(Section 610 Review) 
Abstract:

This annual final rule updates the hospice payment rates, the wage index, and the hospice aggrgate cap for fiscal year 2026. The rule also finalizes changes to the Hospice Quality Reporting program.

 
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services(HHS)  Priority: Economically Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: Yes  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt 
RFA Section 610 Review: Section 610 Review 
CFR Citation: 42 CFR 418   
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1302   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Statutory  By statute, rule must be effective by October 1 annually.  10/01/2025 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/30/2025  90 FR 18568   
NPRM Comment Period End  06/10/2025 
Final Action  10/00/2025 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: YES  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Kelly Vontran
Deputy Director, Division of Home Health and Hospice
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Center for Medicare, MS: C4-07-07, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244
Phone:410 786-0332
Email: kelly.vontran@cms.hhs.gov