In May 2005, Medicare proposed its first comprehensive revisions of the hospice conditions of participations (CoPs) in the then-23-year history of the Hospice Medicare Benefit. After 3½ years of industry comments and government revisions, the final revised CoPs became effective December 2, 2008. This long journey created uncertainty for many hospices’ planning process and operations. This article recounts the experience of one mid-sized hospice’s now nearly 2-year planning and implementation process and the lessons learned.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ( 2008, June 5). 42 CFR Part 418. Medicare and Medicaid programs: Hospice conditions of participation; Final rule. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-1305.pdf
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Hospice Care Conditions of Participation. ( 2008, June 5). Federal register: 42 CFR 418.1-418.405. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
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Lang, S., Cotten, C., & Domizio, L. ( 2008, September 18). The new hospice conditions of participation: An overview of the changes. Presentation at an in-service program, New City, NY.
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Lund-Person, J., & Kennedy, J. ( 2008). A closer look at the new hospice cops. Newsline. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 19(8), 1-10.
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The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ( 2008a). "CoPs-Planning for Success" implementation checklist . Retrieved January 26, 2009, www.nhpco.org/files/public/regulatory/Planning_forsuccesscops.ppt
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The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ( 2008b). The hospice team on the new cops: The journey begins. Newsline. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization , 19(12), 4-26.
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The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ( 2008c). "COPS-Planning for Success." Medicare hospice conditions of participations by topic series. Retrieved October 16, 2008 , from www.nhpco.org/files/public/regulatory/Planning_for_successcops.ppt
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The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ( 2009). Hospice admission map. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from www.nhpco.org/files/public/regulatory/Hospice_Admission_Map-2009-F_(2).pdf
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Raffa, C. ( 2008, November 24). Revisions recommended to contracts, policies & procedures, forms, education and training requirements, and action items as a result of new hospice cops effective 12/2/08 (Memorandum). Albany, NY: Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State.
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Wilson, H. ( 2008). CoPs in a book: The final edition. Hyannis, MA: Weatherbee Resources.
18.
Wilson, H., & Barry, J. ( 2008). The hospice regulatory boot camp workbook. Hyannis, MA: Weatherbee Resources.
