What is HOPE (Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation)?

Netsmart is focused on updating the following workflows as part of supporting the HOPE process. As the specification was recently released, we are still working through detailed specifications to communicate timelines for implementation in our client’s environment. We anticipate having those completed and published by the end of Q1 2025. 

• Assessment content 
• Assessment scheduling and compliance tracking 
• Assessment reporting 
• Correction workflow 
• Validation 
• Submission workflow 

Netsmart will be engaging with clients beginning in January 2025 through focus groups that will provide valuable insights and feedback on the HOPE Tool feature set. Regularly scheduled meetings will help ensure collaboration and alignment amongst the client base. Clients interested in participating should visit NetsmartCONNECT Events where we will post user groups and recordings from completed meetings.

Netsmart does offer a user group network and forums which meet on a regular cadence. The groups are open to Netsmart clients and broad participation is encouraged for community engagement.

Yes, engaging the user group for testing before a full rollout will help identify any issues and gather valuable feedback. This collaborative process will enhance the quality of the modifications.

Netsmart will provide incremental development and delivery of the HOPE features throughout 2025. This approach allows clients to provide ongoing feedback and adopt new features. This development and delivery are dependent upon the release of the final technical specifications from CMS.

Netsmart EHRs will support separate documents for HOPE admission and HOPE update visit (HUV). Supporting separate documents for HOPE admissions and HOPE update visits will enhance compliance tracking and make the process more streamlined for users.

When an SFV is triggered based on symptom impact scoring, the clinician will be prompted to enter a frequency for the SFV that will be attached to a nursing visit with skill requirements of RN or LPN/LVN. Netsmart EHRs support visit and skill requirements for the SFV to ensure that that care is tailored to the patient's needs. This structure will improve both the quality of care and compliance.

Yes, Netsmart EHRs will provide scheduling, tracking, and monitoring of compliance with HUV and SFV timepoints. Having scheduling, tracking, and monitoring in place will greatly enhance compliance management for both HUV and SFV timepoints so that clinicians can easily keep track of necessary visits and follow-ups.

Netsmart has a dedicated regulatory team to monitor changes in the regulatory landscape. In addition, Netsmart is affiliated with multiple industry associations and forums to monitor regulatory changes within the industry.

Clients have a designated Netsmart contact through their client alignment executive in addition to the support call center. This dual support system can enhance communication and problem resolution.

Netsmart technical support hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday, exclusive to Federal holidays. After-hours support is provided for critical and high priority issues at no additional charge. Support is available through telephone access or the online support portal.