Medicare program; hospice wage index--HCFA. Notice

This notice announces the annual update to the hospice wage index as required by 42 CFR 418,306(c). This update is effective October 1, 1998. The wage index is used to reflect local differences in wage levels. The hospice wage index methodology and values are based on recommendations of a negotiated rulemaking advisory committee and were originally published in the Federal Register on August 8, 1997. This update is the second year of a 3-year transition period. The second transition year begins October 1, 1998 and ends September 30, 1999.