The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the latest Hospice Provider Preview Reports through CASPER in QIES, giving hospice agencies a critical window to review their quality data before it appears publicly on Care Compare in the May 2026 refresh.

For hospice providers, this preview period is more than administrative housekeeping. It is the final opportunity to verify accuracy, identify discrepancies, and prepare communications with referral partners, hospital discharge planners, and families who increasingly review Care Compare data when selecting end-of-life care.

What’s Included in the Preview

The reports reflect the following data cycles:

• HIS assessment-based measures: Q3 2024 – Q2 2025
• CAHPS Hospice Survey measures: Q3 2023 – Q2 2025
• CAHPS Star Ratings: Q2 2023 – Q1 2025
• Claims-based measures: Q1 2023 – Q4 2024

These measures collectively shape how hospice performance is viewed by the public — from symptom management and timely visits to family experience and overall satisfaction.

Notable CAHPS Change

CMS has announced that the CAHPS measure “Training family to care for patient” will be removed from public reporting beginning with the May 2026 refresh. Public reporting is expected to resume in February 2028.

While temporary, this change matters. Family caregiver preparation is central to hospice philosophy — ensuring loved ones feel confident managing medications, understanding what to expect, and knowing whom to call. Even if the measure is paused publicly, strong caregiver training remains a defining marker of high-quality hospice care and a differentiator in competitive markets.

Why This Matters for Hospice Agencies

Hospice remains one of the most person-centered services in the Medicare program. Public reporting reinforces accountability — but it also highlights excellence. Agencies that consistently perform well on symptom control, communication, and family experience measures should treat this preview as an opportunity to reinforce their quality story with referral sources and community partners.

At a time when demand for hospice is growing alongside the aging population, transparent quality reporting supports trust in a care model that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and interdisciplinary support in the home and community.

Agencies should download and review their preview reports promptly, confirm accuracy, and prepare any necessary inquiries before the public update goes live in May.