Hospice Knowledge Center
Plain-English definitions of the acronyms and requirements that show up in every hospice team meeting — grounded in CMS guidance and reviewed by hospice clinicians. Every entry links to the exact regulatory source so you can verify.
The Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation tool — what it is, timing windows, and who completes each item.
Learn moreHUV1 (days 6–15) and HUV2 (days 16–30) — the two mid-stay HOPE observation windows, item scope, and workflow.
Learn moreThe Interdisciplinary Group meeting — required frequency, required members, and what “meaningful participation” means.
Learn moreAdditional Documentation Request — what triggers one, how to respond, and how to prevent a repeat.
Learn moreTargeted Probe & Educate — the three-round audit rhythm hospice providers should understand cold.
Learn moreThe face-to-face physician/NP visit before the third benefit period — timing, documentation, and audit landmines.
Learn moreGeneral Inpatient Level of Care — when it’s appropriate, what to document, and how it differs from routine home care.
Learn moreCHC criteria: predominantly nursing, crisis criteria, and the hourly documentation that must justify it.
Learn moreInpatient respite care — 5-day cap, indications, and how to pair it with caregiver support.
Learn moreThe most common level of care and how visit patterns should map to the plan of care.
Learn moreHow CMS caps hospice Medicare payments annually — and what to monitor mid-year to avoid a repayment.
Learn moreThe election statement, addendum, revocation, and discharge paperwork — done properly.
Learn moreBenefit periods 1, 2, and 3+; who signs, when, and what the narrative must include.
Learn moreThe CMS Hospice Quality Reporting Program: what it measures, why the 4-point penalty matters, and how to meet the threshold.
Learn moreThe CMS reporting portal that shows your HQRP compliance and quality-measure scores.
Learn moreThe federal regulations at 42 CFR §418 every Medicare-certified hospice must meet.
Learn moreRequired 13-month post-death family support: CoP requirements, program design, and audit tips.
Learn moreThe beneficiary-chosen physician of record on the election statement, and how it differs from the medical director.
Learn moreThe 5-day electronic MAC filing that establishes a hospice election with Medicare.
Learn moreThe Service Intensity Add-On: extra payment for RN/SW direct-care visits in the last 7 days of life.
Learn moreThe CMS-mandated family-experience survey conducted post-death, publicly reported on Care Compare.
Learn moreContent grounded in authoritative sources
Educational content only. Not a substitute for your organization’s policies, your medical director’s clinical judgment, or current CMS guidance. See individual pages for author/reviewer bylines and last-reviewed dates.
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