Schedule at a Glance

See a full list of recommended sessions here.

Tuesday, October 29 | 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Session 132-I. Is Hospice Meeting Its Promise?

Tuesday, October 29 | 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Cocktails and Connection: Sponsored by the Hospice Network

Wednesday, October 30 | 7:00–8:00 a.m. | Hospice Provider Networking Breakfast

Wednesday, October 30 | 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Session 133-J. Why It’s Critical to Understand Your Hospice CAHPS Score

Wednesday, October 30 |  9:30–10:30 a.m. | Session 134-K. A New HOPE: Understanding the New Hospice Tool

Wednesday, October 30 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Sessions 135-L. Are You Ready to Implement New Hospice Program Changes?

Program Sessions

132-I. Is Hospice Meeting Its Promise? | Tuesday, October 29 | 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Hospice is a comprehensive, holistic program of care and support for terminally ill patients and their families. In recent years, the program’s original promise has been overshadowed by higher costs, bad actors, and consolidation. Is the hospice benefit still working for most Medicare beneficiaries? This session will answer that question by providing an update on Medicare payment and regulatory policies that shape the ability of hospices to care for older adults. Let the LeadingAge Policy Team brief you on their advocacy work related to hospice benefit reform, program integrity, and payment rules. Stay current on hospice-related activity in Congress and at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

• Katy Barnett, Director, Home Care & Hospice Operations and Policy, LeadingAge, Washington, DC
• Mollie Gurian, Vice President, Home Based and HCBS Policy, LeadingAge, Washington, DC

133-J. Why It’s Critical to Understand Your Hospice CAHPS Score | Wednesday, October 30 | 8–9:00 a.m.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare and Provider Assessments & Systems (CAHPS) survey to share the star ratings of hospice providers with the public. Because star ratings are a relatively recent phenomenon in the hospice sector, it’s essential for hospice providers to better understand these data points and how the public views them. During this session, the presenters will explain the tools CMS uses to identify quality hospice care, offer tips for making quality data seem less daunting, and share strategies for improving quality scores and star ratings. Learn how to view star ratings as an opportunity for your hospice to grow, learn, improve patient experience, and ensure quality of care.

• Kristi Strawser, Chief Executive Officer, EverHeart Hospice
• Nara Oliveira, Quality, Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Good Shepard Community Care
• Margaret Gloria, Medical Director, Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads

134-K. A New HOPE: Understanding the New Hospice Tool | Wednesday, October 30 | 9:30–10:30 a.m.

The Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool, first announced in 2019, is now ready for implementation. During this session, the LeadingAge Policy Team and clinical specialists will walk you through the new HOPE tool so you’ll understand how it compares with the previous Hospice Item Set, and how the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) is expected to change. Presenters will help you understand guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that will help you accurately collect required data for the reporting program. They’ll also use fun and challenging HOPE application scenarios to illustrate the tool’s rules. Join us and become masters of HOPE.

• Lindsey Buzzard, Director of Home Health and Hospice, LeadingAge Ohio
• Katy Barnett, Director, Home Care & Hospice Operations and Policy, LeadingAge

135-L. Are You Ready to Implement New Hospice Program Changes | Wednesday, October 30 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Are you ready to implement changes to the new hospice program so you can avoid audits and survey deficiencies and ensure operational efficiencies? This session can help. Finance, compliance, and operations experts will examine current and future risks associated with reimbursement, audits, and staffing as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool. Don’t miss this chance to review critical steps hospices must take to stay ahead of the changes, such as improving workflow efficiencies to avoid difficulties implementing new regulatory requirements.

• Anne Shelley, Director of Home Health/Hospice Regulatory Relations, LeadingAge Ohio
• Richard Russell, President & CEO, Hospice of Northwest Ohio
• Judi Lund Person, Principal, LundPerson & Associates LLC
• Katy Barnett, Director, Home Care & Hospice Operations and Policy, LeadingAge