The HOPE Assessment Tool: Are You on Track?

The HOPE Assessment Tool: Are You on Track?

Written by Jennifer Kennedy

CMS posted the final Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) assessment tool guidance manual on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) webpage in September 2024.  If you have not reviewed the manual, you are behind the ticking clock that leads to the tool’s implementation on October 1, 2025.  Hospice organizations must map out a thoughtful operational timeline that makes sense and is not rushed.

There are tasks that all hospice providers should complete before the end of 2024 to stay on track for a successful HOPE tool launch.

  1. Review the HOPE Guidance Manual – The HOPE Guidance Manual (v1.00) provides detailed instructions for hospices to collect and submit patient stay data to CMS.  There are helpful scenarios and calendar tools in the manual that can be utilized now to teach staff content and application of the data collection items.  You need to review the manual multiple times to understand the question and how to answer it.
  2. Contact your electronic medical record (EMR) vendor – CMS posted the HOPE assessment tool technical specifications on October 1, 2024, and facilitated a webinar for vendors on November 19, 2024.  Hospice organizations need to communicate with their EMR vendor now to determine:
    1. The plan and timeline for building the revised assessment that includes the HOPE assessment items
      1. The plan should address the tool testing timeline and have a time cushion for revisions and retesting
      2. The plan should address the option to begin submitting data to CMS earlier than the implementation (if allowable)
      3. Your EMR is using CMS’s HOPE Technical Information to guide the build of the revised assessment tool
    2. The progress in building the revised assessment tool(s) 
    3. How and when the EMR will update you about their progress

You need to ensure that your EMR vendor maintains the assessment content specified in      § 418.54 Condition of participation: Initial and comprehensive assessment of the patient.  There is regulatory content in this regulation that is not included in the HOPE assessment tool.

  1. Establish your baseline assessment performance – The HOPE assessment tool is a standardized assessment to collect data that provides a better understanding of patient care needs for the hospice care team and contributes to the patient’s plan of care.  Providers need to identify their assessment process pain points now to determine baseline performance before implementation of the HOPE tool.  Considerations for performance evaluation and improvement include:
    1. being proactive in determining clinical practice gaps with current assessment of the patient and family status and needs
    2. regularly review clinician documentation for trends or issues overall and with individuals
    3. track/trend refusal of services to determine if an update in the process needs to occur
    4. Ensure clinicians have proper assessment completion training and evaluation of competency
  2. Stay updated – providers must monitor the CMS HQRP website for information updates about the HOPE assessment tool.  The “Hospice QRP Announcements & Spotlight” webpage announces all new information about the HQRP including HOPE tool updates.  All current resources are available on the HOPE webpage, and they include:

Providers can receive updates from CMS by joining their email list.  Look at the bottom of the HOPE webpage for the following information and email updates will be delivered to your email. 

  1. Staff education – It is not too early to begin internal education with staff about the HOPE assessment tool.  Introduce them to the HOPE Guidance Manual in manageable chunks to familiarize them with the content and question coding guidance.  There are many case examples in the manual that aid in the comprehension of specific sections.  You may also consider discussing case studies from your organization to personalize the education for your staff.  

CMS will provide multiple education opportunities for hospice providers leading up to the HOPE tool implementation which providers should attend.  There is a CMS hospice webinar on Thursday, December 12th, from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. ET to share an Introduction to Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE). To register, please visit this link: https://abtassociates.webex.com/weblink/register/r9225e1dc9fa589fc2f5b2d433841aba0. 

The opportunity for a successful HOPE assessment tool implementation for your organization depends on your readiness and planning in the months before the launch on October 1, 2025.  CHAP is invested in providing you with the information and resources you need to be successful.  Watch out for upcoming blogs, education, and resources in 2025.