Compliance Monitor (2/24/26)
Your source for federal updates
February 2026 Compliance Activity
| Compliance Item & Date | Additional info & Links |
| Medicare Care Compare Refresh Hospice quality scores are publicly reported on the Care Compare website and updated on a quarterly basis. CAHPS star ratings are updated in this quarterly refresh | Medicare Care Compare https://www.medicare.gov/care- compare/ Information about hospice public reporting https://www.cms.gov/medicare/qu ality/hospice/public-reporting- background-and-announcements |
| HIPAA Update – February 16, 2026 Covered entities, including health plans and employers subject to HIPAA, must revise their NPP to include new and more restrictive requirements related to protected health information (PHI). Specifically, the NPP must: – Describe stricter limitations on the use and disclosure of substance use disorder records. – State that an individual’s written consent or a court order is required to use substance use disorder records in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against the individual. – Explain that PHI disclosed in accordance with HIPAA may be redisclosed by the recipient and may no longer be protected by HIPAA. | In February 2024, HHS finalized significant revisions to 42 CFR Part 2, the federal regulation governing the confidentiality of SUD treatment records. Part 2 has historically imposed stricter privacy protections than HIPAA, reflecting longstanding concerns about stigma and discrimination associated with SUD treatment. |
| Hospice Vendor Update and Errata (V1.00.3) for HOPE Data Specs (FINAL) Effective October 1, 2025 Errata V1.00.3 for the final HOPE data submission specifications (V1.00.1) contains one additional issue regarding edits and these revisions will go into effect on February 18, 2026. | This information is available in the Downloads section of the HOPE Technical Information |
| OSHA Form 300-A form Form 300-A is the Summary of Work- Related Injuries and illnesses At the end of each calendar year, Form 300- A must be completed and certified by a company executive as correct and complete and posted in the workplace annually, where notices to workers are usually posted. The completed form must be submitted to OSHA by early March The completed form must be posted for three months, from February 1 until April 30 | Establishments under Federal OSHA jurisdiction can use the ITA Coverage Application to determine if they are required to electronically report their injury and illness information to OSHA. Establishments under State Plan jurisdiction should contact their State Plan. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/tr ade/01092023 Form 300-A https://www.osha.gov/recordkeepi ng/forms |
| HIPAA Breach Reporting HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates are required annually to notify the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of breaches for unsecured protected health information (PHI) that affected under 500 individuals. Report breaches of unsecured protected health information affects fewer than 500 individuals utilizing the web portal in the link. Report annually as applicable; submit within 60 days of the end of the calendar year in which the breach was discovered | Submitting a notice of breach to the HHS secretary https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for- professionals/breach- notification/breach- reporting/index.html |
Top Items
Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extended
On February 3, 2026, President Trump signed HR 7148, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026” (the Act) ending the 4-day partial government shutdown. The Act, part of a broader fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending package, includes a further extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities that recently expired on January 31, 2026.
- Telehealth for the Recertification of Hospice Care: Hospice physicians and nurse practitioners may continue having face-to-face encounters to recertify a patient’s eligibility to remain on hospice via telehealth through December 31,2027.
- The bill provides a five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program and a two-year extension for Medicare telehealth flexibilities.
Review the CMS Telehealth Policy Update FAQs
Hospice/Palliative Care Provider Updates
HQRP Public Reporting Quarterly Refresh – February 2026
The February 2026 quarterly refresh for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program is now available on the Compare tool on Medicare.gov.
In this refresh, Hospice assessment measure scores are based on data submitted by hospices from Quarter 2, 2024 through Quarter 1, 2025. CAHPS measure scores are based on CAHPS data submitted from Quarter 2, 2023 through Quarter 1, 2025. CAHPS Star Ratings are calculated based on data from Quarter 2, 2023 through Quarter 1, 2025. The claims-based measures reflect claims data collected from Quarter 1, 2023 through Quarter 4, 2024.
Notably, one CAHPS measure—Training family to care for patient—will be removed from public reporting beginning with the May 2026 refresh. Reporting of this measure is expected to resume with the February 2028 refresh.
For additional information, please see the FY2026 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule at https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Hospice-Center.
Home Health Provider Updates
Home Health Prospective Payment System Grouper: April Update
Get the April 2026 release (Version 07.1.26 (ZIP)). See the Home Health Prospective Payment System Grouper Software webpage for a summary of changes.
More Information:
- Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 10 (PDF), section 80
OIG Post New Work Plan Project
The OIG posted the “Medicare Payments for Home Health Comorbidity Adjustments” project on its work plan. It is slated for completion in 2027.
OBJECTIVE
Medicare payments to home health agencies (HHAs) exceeded $16 billion in calendar year 2024. These payments are adjusted by the case mix of the enrollees receiving services. HHAs receive higher payments when diagnosis codes indicate specific comorbidities, and CMS data show that about 70 percent of claims received a comorbidity adjustment in 2023 and 2024. To determine the extent of potential improper HHA coding and potential savings, we will analyze a subset of HHA claims that received increased payments for select comorbidities and assess whether non-HHA claims also identified the same condition.
DMEPOS Updates
Intermittent Urinary Catheters: Medicare Improperly Paid Suppliers
In a report, the Office of Inspector General found that Medicare improperly paid for catheters and kits. To avoid improper payments, review the Urological Supplies provider compliance tip for more information, including:
- Billing codes
- Denial reasons and how to prevent them
- Refill and documentation requirements
- Resources
All Providers Updates
Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model
CMS has released performance targets and payment details for the ACCESS Model, sparking renewed interest from organizations considering participation. Designed to expand technology-supported care in Original Medicare, ACCESS targets chronic conditions affecting over two-thirds of Medicare recipients—including high blood pressure, diabetes, musculoskeletal pain, and depression—and will operate from July 5, 2026, for ten years. Announced in December 2025, applications open January 2026, with initial submissions due April 1 and later applications considered for a January 1, 2027 start. Details can be found in the 21-page primer:
https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/files/access-payments-amts-perf-targets.pdf
Educational Opportunities
2026 CMS Burden Reduction Conference!
The 2026 CMS Burden Reduction Conference is on February 25, 2026, featuring a hybrid format (in-person in Washington, DC, and virtual) to discuss reducing administrative burdens for clinicians and improving patient care. Key topics include AI tools for clinical workflows, FHIR interoperability, and reducing documentation, with sessions available on-demand afterward.
Explore the 2026 QualCon Agenda.
Are you planning to attend the 2026 CMS Quality Conference taking place March 16–18 at the Baltimore Hilton Inner Harbor and online? Get ready to dive into sessions designed to support collaboration, innovation, and action as we come together around the theme “Make America Healthy Again: Innovating Together for Better Health.”
Across this year’s conference, QualCon26 will feature:
- CMS Administrator, Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA
- CMS and HHS Leadership Panel discussions
- Microsoft’s Global Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Healthcare, David Rhew, MD, a national leader in clinical innovation and emerging technology
- Exciting Breakout Sessions including:
- Leveraging AI to improve patient safety
- Eat Well, Live Well: Translating Nutrition Science into Practice
- Accelerating Prevention Through Performance Measurement: National Leaders Explore Opportunities in AI, Methods, and Data Streams
- And more!
Explore the agenda outline and plan your experience today. Let us know that you’ll be attending and what you’re looking forward to on social media with #QualCon26.
Space is limited so register ASAP to be part of these important conversations and join the dialogue on social media using #QualCon26.
Where to Stay
Take advantage of special room block at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor or the Lord Baltimore for $150 per night.
Emergency Preparedness Resources
- Rural Disaster Health Topic Collection (Updated)
- HHS emPOWER Program: Strengthening Winter Storm Response and Enhancing Rural Health Care Resilience