CMS is placing newly enrolling hospices located in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas in a provisional period of enhanced oversight. Over the last 12 months, we’ve received numerous reports of hospice fraud, waste, and abuse. The number of enrolled hospices has also increased significantly in these states, raising serious concerns about market oversaturation.
“New hospices” include those 1) newly enrolling in the Medicare Program (starting July 13, 2023); 2) submitting a change of ownership (CHOW) that meets all the regulatory requirements under 42 CFR 489.18; and 3) undergoing a 100% ownership change that doesn’t fall under 42 CFR 489.18.
This enhanced oversight can be from 30 days to 1 year.