CMS refreshes hospice telecommunications recertification reporting guidance

What happened

CMS revised MM14495 on September 2, 2026 to update the change-request release date, transmittal numbers and links, expressly making no substantive change to the article. The underlying instruction begins January 1, 2027, with January 4 systems implementation. It applies to hospice claims reporting face-to-face recertification encounters conducted through telecommunications by a hospice physician or hospice nurse practitioner. The September revision therefore refreshes implementation guidance rather than announcing a new September clinical eligibility standard.

The article directs reporting with G0679 and line-item detail, including a separately dated line for each service under the appropriate discipline's revenue code. MACs return claims using G0679 with a bill type other than 81X/82X or a revenue code other than 0657. The descriptor treats the encounter as an administrative expense; a reporting code does not by itself create a separately payable clinical visit. CMS also explains the statutory background for identifying virtual-platform encounters involving specified contractual or payment arrangements. Claim templates need to follow the operative code combinations and distinguish January 1 service applicability from the later systems release.

Why it matters

Correct bill-type and revenue-code combinations are needed to avoid returns. The guidance’s administrative-expense characterization should not be mistaken for a new separately payable visit.

Sources

• MM14495, hospice recertification reportingOfficial · CMS · 2026-09-02 · Source review 2026-09-06