HOPE for Hospice went into effect on October 1, 2025, and it is expected that implementation has been relatively smooth. Some adjustments were made in the transmission process, but those issues should now be resolved.
We did identify a new manual released with an effective date of October 1, 2025, which includes minor revisions to the instructional language. In a few instances, the wording was updated from “observation and clinical judgment” to “observation and/or clinical judgment.” These changes primarily relate to Symptom Follow-Up Visits.
As you move forward with full implementation of the HOPE tool, be sure that any patient at admission or during an update visit identified with moderate or severe symptoms, whether it be pain or non-pain symptoms, receives a symptom follow-up visit within two days of that documentation.
These follow-up visits may be completed by an RN or an LPN/LVN, but they must occur within the two-day timeframe. Completing them is important not only for patient care and compliance with the required instructions, but also because outcome measures are being calculated based on how timely the two-day symptom follow-up visit is documented. Ensuring this is completed as required is essential.
If you are an HPS Alliance member, we have shared several resources on our website, including an update to the “HOPE Tool Items & Completion Timepoints” resource. In addition, Victoria Barron has been delivering HOPE education nationwide. If you need further HOPE education or have questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
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