NHPCO QUALITY ALERT

To:  NHPCO Provider Members
From:  Health Policy Team
Date:  August 17, 2018

Hospice Compare
The August 2018 quarterly Hospice Compare refresh is now live. This Hospice Compare update reflects Hospice Item Set (HIS) quality measure results based on data collected Q4 2016 – Q3 2017 and on CAHPS® Survey® results reported Q4 2015 – Q3 2017. Visit Hospice Compare to view the new data.

HIS Freeze Date

The freeze date for the Hospice Item Set (HIS) data that will be included in quality measure calculations for the November 2018 Hospice Compare refresh was August 15, 2018. The November refresh will include HIS data from Q1 2017 to Q4 2017 (1/1/17-12/31/17). For more information about the freeze date, preview reports, and key public reporting dates for providersplease see the Public Reporting: Key Dates for Providers webpage.

Composite Measure on Hospice Compare

The November 2018 Hospice Compare will refresh is the first to include the Hospice Comprehensive Assessment Measure (NQF #3235). Providers will have the opportunity to preview their score on this measure, in conjunction with the currently reported seven HIS measures, during the preview period (9/4/2018-10/4/2018). CMS encourages providers to become familiar with the Hospice Comprehensive Assessment Measure specifications and their measure score using the HQRP QM User’s Manual V2.00 and their CASPER QM Reports.

Provider Reminders

CMS has noticed an increase in the number of modifications/corrections and in-activations after the release of the Provider Preview Report. As a friendly reminder, Providers should:

  • Ensure that records are complete and accurate prior to submission to the QIES ASAP system.
  • Review quality measure data often using their CASPER QM Reports and not to wait until the freeze date or when the Provider Preview Reports are released to submit any necessary HIS corrections.

For more information on how providers can use their CASPER QM Reports to review data please see the CASPER QM Reports Fact Sheet in the Downloads section of the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage.

Please email questions about this alert to NHPCO at quality@nhpco.org.