The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services todaypublished its long awaited final rule governing the hospice care industry’sMedicare Conditions of Participation in the Federal Register.

The new rule includes a new quality assessmentrequirement that focuses on a data-driven approach to quality improvement. Alsofound in the new rule is “explicit language on patient rights that had notexisted under the previous regulations,” according to CMS. These includethe right to participation in treatment plans, effective pain management andthe right to refuse treatment.

CMS first proposed changing the guidelines for hospicecare participation in Medicare in 2005. The rule was left open for commentuntil the agency announced this final rule on May 27. To view the rule andother related items, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/CFCsAndCoPs/05_Hospice.asp