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Abuse and neglect: CMS should strengthen reporting requirements to better protect individuals receiving hospice care : report to the Honorable Charles E. Grassley, United States Senate
Abuse and neglect: CMS should strengthen reporting requirements to better protect individuals receiving hospice care : report to the Honorable Charles E. Grassley, United States Senate
Why GAO did this study. Vulnerable populations receiving extended (non-acute) care from Medicare- or Medicaid-certified hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes have the right to be free from abuse and neglect, according to CMS’s requirements. These requirements include actions Medicare and Medicaid providers should take to report and respond to abuse and neglect allegations. CMS enters into agreements with state survey agencies to monitor providers’ compliance with these requirements and investigate incidents reported to them. GAO was asked to review CMS’s abuse and neglect requirements. This report examines, among other issues, any differences in CMS’s requirements for reporting and responding to abuse and neglect across these provider types. GAO reviewed relevant CMS requirements contained in regulations and guidance and interviewed CMS officials about any differences in the requirements for reporting and responding to abuse and neglect among these provider types. What GAO Recommends. GAO recommends that CMS require hospice care providers to report all allegations of abuse and neglect immediately to survey agencies, regardless of whether the alleged perpetrator is affiliated with the hospice. HHS neither agreed nor disagreed with GAO’s recommendation.
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