Doctor and senior woman wearing facemasks during coronavirus and flu outbreak. Virus protection. COVID-2019..

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service is expected to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking in February that would mandate agreements between long-term care facilities and hospice agencies.

The regulation would require agreements with the agencies when hospice care is provided in a nursing home. The purpose of the rule is to ensure quality hospice care to LTC residents, according to a semiannual agenda released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The agenda outlines work it expects to undertake in the next six months.

Another item of proposed rulemaking this year will address revised conditions of coverage for ambulatory surgical centers. One proposed rule, expected in June 2007, would streamline the adoption process for electronic transactions and code set standards mandated under HIPAA.

See the agenda at .