Rule lifecycle · RIN:0938-AV49

Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — observed across 2 documents over 30 days. Use the source documents below before deciding whether this affects your business.

In plain English

Medicare is updating how much it pays hospice companies in 2026, based on where they're located and what they pay employees, and requiring them to report on quality of care. If you own or run a hospice, check the new payment amounts to see how your 2026 revenue changes and make sure your team reports quality data on time starting October 1, 2025.

First seen

Aug 5, 2025

Last seen

Sep 4, 2025

Latest stage

Rule

PRORULE → RULE

Effective on

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Stage timeline

  1. Final·Aug 5, 2025

    Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

    effective Oct 1, 2025#2025-14782

  2. Final·Sep 4, 2025

    Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction

    effective Oct 1, 2025#2025-16960