HPNA Statement on CMS Moratorium

HPNA Statement on CMS Moratorium

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) was established 40 years ago, originally to support hospice nurses.  As our membership grew and the needs of our communities changed, we expanded our support to include nurses working within the specialty of palliative care.  Our pillars of support include education, leadership, research and advocacy. Our advocacy initiatives have consistently applauded efforts to effectively address any and all fraud in the hospice sector.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) recently announced a moratorium on any new hospice entities and limits on changes in ownership for the next six months.  HPNA greatly appreciates that CMS’ leadership is attempting to reduce hospice fraud.

HPNA is actively partnering with other hospice and palliative care membership organizations to craft recommendations for CMS on the moratorium. The goal is to urge CMS to consider a moratorium framework grounded in evidence, data analysis, and risk assessment.

HPNA and its members remain committed to providing the highest standard of care to our hospice patients and their families.   We stand ready to work with CMS to ensure impactful policies are enacted – ones which eliminate fraudulent entities while protecting communities, compliant hospice providers, and the patients and families under their care. Download Statement.