CMS updated version of the Medicare Appeals Process: Five Levels to Protect Providers, Physicians and Other Suppliers
(see brochure)
CMS Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2008 and Assorted Regulatory Clarifications
Final Rule CMS-1539-P
Posted on on August 30, 2007
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
CMS posted the final rule for the hospice wage index for fiscal year 2008 on August 31, 2007. A comparison chart with FY2007 and FY2008 for each county in each state is available on the NHPCO Regulatory Web page .
CMS received and reviewed comments from the public for 60 days prior to posting the final rule. The regulatory clarifications, details on the comments received by CMS, and their response are included in the CMS document. NHPCO has analyzed the CMS's comments and has provided highlights in this alert.
The FY2008 wage index will be effective October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008. CMS used the FY 2007 pre-reclassified and pre-floor hospital area wage index data for this calculation.The wage index for each rural area and CBSA have changed since the proposed rule and most often result in an increase of a few cents for each level of care. Please note the FY2008 final wage index when preparing budget documents and projections for the coming year
