Medicare Program; Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2009; Final Rule

This final rule sets forth the hospice wage index for fiscal year 2009. In addition, this final rule finalizes the policy to phase out the Medicare hospice budget neutrality adjustment factor, and clarifies two wage index issues pertaining to the definition of rural and urban areas and multi-campus hospital facilities. Effective Dates: These regulations are effective on October 1, 2008.