Balancing Oversight and Quality Care: Hospice Special Focus Program Suspended

On February 14, 2025, the Hospice Special Focus Program for CY 2025 was suspended for further evaluation by CMS. The suspension was welcomed by many in the hospice community, who had previously expressed that the program’s flawed execution could harm both providers and patients. (Hospice News)

The National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care (NCHPC) and its member organizations have consistently advocated for effective oversight in hospice care to ensure patients receive high-quality services. While we support initiatives aimed at identifying and improving underperforming hospices, we have raised significant concerns regarding the design and implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Special Focus Program (SFP).

Established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the SFP was designed to identify hospices with substantial deficiencies, mandating quality improvements and, when necessary, imposing penalties. However, stakeholders, including the NCHPC, have criticized the program’s methodology for selecting hospices, citing flaws that could misrepresent a provider’s performance and potentially mislead patients and families.

Prior to the suspension, legislative efforts were underway to address the program’s deficiencies. In November 2024, the NCHPC, in collaboration with the National Alliance for Care at Home, endorsed H.R. 10097, the Enhancing Hospice Oversight and Transparency Act. This bipartisan bill aimed to delay the SFP’s implementation to provide additional time to rectify its flawed design. Jessica Hausauer, CEO of the NCHPC, emphasized the coalition’s commitment to collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to develop an effective oversight mechanism that ensures quality care without unjustly penalizing providers. (National Coalition)

The NCHPC remains dedicated to advocating for a balanced approach that upholds patient care standards while addressing legitimate concerns within the hospice community. As discussions progress, the coalition continues to work towards an oversight system that accurately identifies hospices in need of improvement and supports them in enhancing their services.