CHAPcast by Community Health Accreditation Partner

We break down the top 10 hospice deficiencies for 2025, why citations shifted toward aide compliance and volunteers, and how to align care plans with assessments to satisfy CMS and improve patient care. We also share new CHAP tools and practical steps to tighten supervision, documentation, and QuAPI.

• plan of care as the central compliance document
• comprehensive assessment driving timely care plan updates
• docu...

We break down the top 10 DME survey deficiencies for 2025 and why annual CMS oversight raises the bar for safety, compliance, and documentation. Practical steps show how to turn policies into proof, strengthen QuAPI, and align multi‑site operations.

• CMS’s increased oversight and annual DME surveys
• the role of survey readiness and mock surveys
• building an effective compliance program using OIG’s seven elements...

We break down the 2026 home health final rule, from the 1.3 percent cut and sequestration impact to face-to-face, OASIS, HHCAHPS, and value-based purchasing changes. We share concrete steps to shore up documentation, data, and budgets before January 1, 2026.

• Why the final rule timing compresses preparation
• Payment impact of the 1.3 percent cut plus sequestration
• What changes in face-to-face encounter responsi...

We unpack the 2026 CMS DME final rule with an eye on what changes first, what it costs, and how suppliers can adapt without disrupting patient care. Annual surveys, stricter accreditation oversight, and targeted incentives reshape strategy, budgets, and daily operations.

• Annual surveys begin at next initial or reaccreditation after 1 January 2026
• Elimination of temporary accreditation before surveying new service l...

A single, accurate medication list can prevent harm, yet it’s often the messiest part of home visits. We unpack how to turn a kitchen-table pile of bottles into a clear, living record that protects patients, reduces polypharmacy, and keeps agencies compliant. Drawing on decades at the bedside and in surveys, we walk through the moments where discrepancies hide—transitions between providers, “as needed” meds, herbals and supplements...

The FY2026 Hospice Final Rule brings positive changes with a 2.6% payment increase and significant regulatory clarifications that reduce administrative burden for providers nationwide. Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan discuss critical updates affecting hospice operations, with special focus on the imminent HOPE assessment implementation.

• 2.6% national payment increase for hospices with cap amount set at $34,465.34
• R...

CMS has proposed significant DME regulation changes in the 2026 Home Health Payment Update Rule that focus on combating fraud, improving supplier compliance, and enhancing efficiency through increased oversight and expanded requirements. The proposed changes would dramatically impact DME operations through annual accreditation surveys, expanded competitive bidding, and enhanced data reporting requirements.

• Annual accredi...

A massive regulatory overhaul looms on the horizon for home health agencies. The proposed Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Payment Update rule spans nearly 600 pages, packed with changes that extend far beyond payment adjustments.

• Proposed expansion of face-to-face encounter policy to allow not just physicians but also NPs, CNSs, and PAs to perform encounters regardless of prior patient relationship
• CMS plans to remove COVID-19 vac...

Case management represents the invisible thread that weaves together all aspects of patient care in home health and hospice settings—yet many clinicians receive minimal training in this critical skill. 

The conversation between Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan dives deep into what effective case management looks like and why it matters so profoundly for both patient outcomes and regulatory compliance. As Kim notes, "Ca...

The fiscal year 2026 proposed hospice rule brings cautious optimism to providers with a projected 2.4% payment increase, though experienced hospices know to factor in the ongoing 2% sequestration when calculating their bottom line. For those who've long struggled with regulatory inconsistencies, this rule delivers welcome clarification on who can certify hospice eligibility, aligning payment regulations with Conditions of Part...

Understanding the top 10 hospice deficiencies for 2024 is crucial for providers committed to compliance and quality care. This episode explores key themes like survey readiness, comprehensive assessments, case management roles, and the importance of continuous improvement strategies.

• Importance of recognizing key hospice deficiencies 
• Challenges in today's survey environment 
• Trends focusing on care plan...

The episode examines the top 10 home health survey deficiencies of 2024, underscoring the importance of compliance and effective care planning. Jennifer and Kim provide actionable strategies for home health agencies to enhance their survey readiness and improve quality care. 
• Identifying and understanding the top 10 deficiencies for compliance 
• Importance of comprehensive assessments in care planning 
• Challenges f...

For over 60 years, CHAP has been leading the way in home and community-based care, and now CHAPcast is leveling up! With a dynamic new format, co-hosts Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan bring their expertise, passion, and a touch of personality to every episode.

Get ready for deeper dives into the issues that matter—breaking down policy updates, exploring cutting-edge trends, and sharing practical tools to help you thrive. Fresh persp...

Joe Russell, Vice President of Network Management and Contracting at Strategic Healthcare shares his invaluable perspective on how community-based providers can thrive despite the dominance of managed care plans and the ever-present issues of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Our conversation uncovers the influence of pivotal regulatory shifts, such as the Affordable Care Act and CMS initiatives, on managed care. We navigate the de...

Unlock the strategies that can transform your approach to healthcare communication! Join Jennifer Kennedy, CHAP's lead for compliance and quality, and Pat Driscoll, a professor in healthcare administration and chair of CHAP's board, as they reveal how to effectively communicate value and quality in today's fiercely competitive healthcare landscape. This episode is packed with actionable insights on overcoming the cha...

How have federal regulatory changes reshaped the role of hospice medical directors from mere formalities to key players in patient care and organizational leadership? Join Jennifer Kennedy and our esteemed guest, Dr. Daniel Maison, as we unpack the historical "three S's" and explore the significant transformations driven by CMS regulations. You'll gain valuable insights into the evolving responsibilities of hosp...

Join us for an insightful episode as we dissect the top 10 home health deficiencies for 2023 with CHAP's esteemed Clinical Nurse Educator, Keri Culhane. With decades of expertise in post-acute healthcare, Keri sheds light on persistent issues and emerging trends in care planning, emphasizing the critical elements of the plan of care and the necessity for individualized care plans. Understand why "cookie cutter" appro...

Join us as we dissect the top 10 hospice deficiencies for 2023 with Keri Culhane, CHAP's Clinical Nurse Educator. Expect to learn about the intricacies of individualized care plans, the critical nature of accurate medication profiles, and the emerging challenges of standard precautions and timely bereavement assessments. We don’t just highlight problems; we also provide actionable strategies to enhance compliance and elevate p...

Ever wondered why patients miss their medication schedules despite clear instructions? Our enlightening conversation with Dr. Kate Jones reveals the critical shift from simply labeling patients as "non-compliant" to understanding the complexities behind "patient adherence." Discover how patient-centered care and shared decision-making can transform healthcare outcomes and why addressing social determinants of he...