September 10 2025
OASIS Answers
Categories: HOPE

HOPE in Action: HOPE Tool Training for Hospice Providers from OASIS Answers

Beginning October 1, 2025, all Medicare-certified hospices will be required by CMS to use the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool, replacing the Hospice Item Set (HIS). This new hospice assessment tool is designed to provide richer, real-time data across multiple timepoints, strengthening quality reporting and outcomes. With the CMS deadline here, providers must complete HOPE training now to ensure accuracy, compliance, and readiness.

This change is now mandatory under the CMS Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), and providers must act now—training staff, updating workflows, and ensuring accurate data collection—to remain compliant.

Since 1999, OASIS Answers, Inc. (OAI) has helped providers master patient assessment data. As a CMS hospice subcontractor since 2015, we’ve supported HIS implementation and contributed directly to HOPE development, testing, and provider training support. Our expert instructors bring deep insight, real-world examples, and a supportive teaching style—so your hospice team can apply what they learn immediately.

Why the CMS HOPE Tool Matters

The CMS HOPE tool represents a major shift in hospice assessment. Unlike HIS, which collected data only at admission and discharge, HOPE introduces multiple timepoints, offering a more complete view of patient outcomes and quality of care. With CMS making HOPE mandatory, accurate HOPE data collection will directly impact hospice quality reporting, compliance, and ultimately patient care.

What You’ll Learn with HOPE in Action Training

HOPE in Action Training from OASIS Answers gives hospice providers the knowledge and tools to confidently meet CMS HOPE requirements. Training covers:

HOPE conventions & special circumstances — how to apply them consistently
Four assessment timepoints — including the new Hospice Update Visits (HUVs)
Symptom Follow-Up Visit (SFV) requirements — when they’re triggered and how to document them
Item-by-item coding guidance — clarifying intent and avoiding pitfalls
Realistic hospice scenarios — practice, discuss, and “show what you know” in real-world situations

HOPE in Action Training Options

Choose the HOPE training format that fits your team’s schedule and needs:

HOPE in Action — ON-DEMAND: The most convenient option, delivering 3 hours of engaging, efficient online HOPE tool training you can access anytime, anywhere. Includes section bookmarks for easy navigation.
HOPE in Action — IN-PERSON: An uninterrupted 4-hour classroom learning experience with maximum interaction. Includes a 140-page HOPE in Action Training handout and direct access to instructors for Q&A.
HOPE in Action — PRIVATE TRAINING: Customized HOPE education designed to meet CMS HOPE requirements while aligning with your hospice’s policies and EMR workflows. Offered as onsite or live virtual training. For hospices with 15+ staff preparing for the HOPE CHS-C Exam, a private, onsite exam administration can also be arranged.
HOPE in Action — LIVE WEBINAR BUNDLE: Learn the key guidance and conventions to accurately collect—or audit—HOPE data in a 4-hour virtual session. Includes a 140-page training handout, the 2025 INSTANT HOPE Answers Book, and HOPE Topic Tabs for easy reference.

Who Should Attend HOPE Tool Training?

The CMS HOPE tool affects every part of the hospice care team. HOPE training is recommended for multidisciplinary staff, including:

Nurses, social workers, and therapists
Chaplains and volunteers
Supervisors and QA/education leaders
Anyone who assesses, codes, or abstracts HOPE items
Staff who audit records or orient new team members

Get Started with HOPE in Action

Whether your hospice team is beginning HOPE data collection, preparing for the HOPE CHS-C Exam, or both—OASIS Answers provides the trusted training you need to ensure accuracy, compliance, and confidence under CMS requirements.

Explore HOPE in Action training options today and give your team the foundation they need for success with the CMS HOPE tool.

Follow OASIS Answers to keep on top of new CMS information related to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program, the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE), and more!