Survey protocols and Interpretive Guidelines are established to provide guidance to surveyors conducting surveys of hospices. They serve to clarify and/or explain the intent of the regulations.  Continuous compliance with the regulations and Interpretive Guidelines is essential for a favorable survey outcome.

CMS Resources

• Medicare Hospice Interpretive Guidelines – Appendix M
• Medicare State Operations Manual, Chapter 2 - The Certification Process, Sections 2080-2089
• Hospice Related Medicare Policy & Memos to States and Regions
• CMS FY 2011-2012 Top 10 Hospice Survey Deficiency Tip Sheet
• CMS FY 2011-2012 Top 10 Hospice Survey Deficiency Audit Tool

NHPCO Member Resources

• CMS FY 2010 Top Ten Hospice Survey Deficiencies Tip Sheet
• CMS FY 2010 Top Ten Hospice Survey Deficiencies Audit Tool
• NHPCO Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) All Inclusive Documents
  • Documents include regulatory text, interpretive guidelines, and preamble language for specific CoPs.
• Hospice Interpretive Guidelines - L-Tag Quick Reference List (Excel)
• New Hospice CoPs:  What Surveyors will Be Looking For, February 2009
• Where Hospices are Falling Short:  The Top 10 Survey Deficiencies Cited by CMS - Newsline Article
• Survey Success under the New Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation - 9th CTC Session Tape

Additional information can be found in the Federal Resources, Certification and Surveys section.