The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially suspended the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP)—a program that placed certain hospices under heightened oversight, requiring additional surveys, corrective actions, and often leading to reputational strain.

This development is welcome news for hospice providers nationwide.

Why This Suspension Matters

• Less Regulatory Pressure: Hospices no longer face the looming threat of being placed on the SFP “watch list.”

• Breathing Room for Providers: Without the distraction of additional inspections, agencies can focus on improving care on their own terms.

• Resources Re-Directed to Patients: Time and energy once consumed by compliance checklists can now be invested in patient and family care.

• Chance for Fairer Reform: CMS is re-evaluating the program—creating opportunities for providers and industry leaders to advocate for more balanced, meaningful quality measures.

What This Means for Your Agency

The suspension is not a free pass—but it is a reprieve. Compliance expectations remain the same: accurate documentation, strong interdisciplinary group (IDG) collaboration, and adherence to hospice LCD guidelines are still required.

The difference now is control. Instead of preparing for punitive oversight, hospices can strengthen quality systems at their own pace, focusing on:

• Staff training and education

• Patient satisfaction initiatives

• Consistency in clinical documentation

• Proactive compliance reviews

Looking Ahead

The pause in SFP oversight should be viewed as an opportunity window. By using this time to reinforce best practices, hospices will be better positioned—no matter how CMS revises the program in the future.

At HCRA Consulting, we’re helping agencies take advantage of this relief by strengthening compliance frameworks and patient-centered quality initiatives.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a compliance review and make the most of this window of opportunity.