CMS published the updated hospice wage index for FY 2013 in the Federal Register on Friday, July 27, 2012, announcing a net increase of 0.9 percent in hospice payments in FY 2013.  This increase is a result of a 1.6 percent net market basket increase that is offset by a 0.7 percent reduction due to the updated wage data and budget neutrality adjustment.  CMS arrives at the 1.6 percent net market basket increase by offsetting the 2.6 percent inpatient hospital market basket percentage increase by a 0.7 percent productivity adjustment and a 0.3 percentage point reduction in effect from FY 2013 through FY 2019. The publication is available by clicking here. 

Reporter, Kate Stern, Atlanta, +1 404 572 4661, kstern@kslaw.com.