New Hospice Regulatory Change: PECOS

June 2024

Effective June 3, 2024, all Hospice certifying physicians and attending physicians must be registered in the PECOS system.

What is PECOS?

PECOS, which stands for the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System, is an online database used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to manage Medicare provider enrollment records. It allows healthcare providers to enroll, make updates to their information, and revalidate their enrollment online, ensuring that all necessary data is up-to-date and accurate. The system also tracks the ownership and control information of enrolled providers, adding an additional layer of transparency and accountability.

Why the Update?

The requirement for hospice physicians to be registered in PECOS is part of CMS’s broader initiative to modernize the enrollment process and improve the integrity of the Medicare program. By ensuring that all hospice certifying and attending physicians are registered in PECOS, CMS can better monitor and verify the credentials of those providing hospice care. This helps to protect patients by ensuring they receive care from qualified providers and helps reduce the risk of fraud within the Medicare system.

What Does This Mean for Hospice Providers?

Hospice providers must have ensured that all their certifying and attending physicians are registered in PECOS by the June 3, 2024, deadline. Failure to comply with this new requirement will result in denials of Medicare claims for hospice services.

Source: CMS, 2024

Additional Resources

LeadingAge Virginia - June 5th- 7th, 2024

Hosted in the beautiful city of Roanoke, this year's Leading Age Virginia event was a resounding success, marked by insightful sessions, engaging discussions, and recognition of excellence demonstrated by several communities and businesses alike. We are especially proud to announce that three of our very own Partners were honored with prestigious awards including:

• "Workplace Excellence Award" - Awarded to Bridgewater Retirement Community

• "Workforce Champion"- Awarded to Winoka Clements, Senior Director at Vinson Hall Retirement Community

• "Emerging Leader"- Awarded to Rachel Custer, Social Services Director at Sunnyside Communities

These awards celebrate our partners and their unwavering dedication to enhancing senior care while also fostering supportive environments for both residents and staff.

As a home and community based advisory service committed to supporting and advancing other home and community-based agencies, we are inspired by the achievements of our partners!

Celebrating Juneteenth - June 19th, 2024

This month we honored Juneteenth, a significant day in American history that marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, the news of emancipation finally reached the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a time to celebrate freedom, reflect on our nation's history, and recognize the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.



On this day, we took time to honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of African Americans throughout history.  

Celebrating Men's Health Awareness Month

This June, we recognize Men’s Health Month! This observance allows us to shine a light on the health issues men face in order to encourage the early detection and treatment of these diseases..

Celebrating National Certified Nurse Assistants Week

As we mark the arrival of CNA Week, we are thrilled to celebrate the incredible contributions of our Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and recognize their vital role in the healthcare community. This special week, dedicated to acknowledging the hard work and dedication of CNAs, provides us with an opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for their unwavering commitment to patient care.

Certified Nursing Assistants are the backbone of our healthcare system. They work tirelessly to provide essential support, comfort, and compassionate care to patients, often going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of those they serve. CNAs are not just caregivers; they are the comforting presence, the helping hands, and the listening ears that make a significant difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Senior Options, LLC serves LeadingAge members with existing home health, hospice, and home care programs AND assists with the start-up and operations of new home health hospice and home care agencies.

Interested in expanding into Home and Community Based Services?

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Senior Options is honored to work with:

• Asbury Home Services
• A.R.N Hospice
• Brandon Oaks at Home
• First Choice Home Health and Hospice
• Genacross at Home
• Lake Prince At Home

• Lutheran Senior Services
• McGregor Hospice
• St. John's United Home Health and Hospice
• Vinson Hall at Home
• Westminster-Canterbury at Home
• Westminster at Home

info@senioroptions.net

757-496-1724

www.senioroptions.net