Hospices receive their PEPPER via PEPPER Resources Portal at https://securefile.tmf.org. View a map of Hospice PEPPER retrievals by state.

To receive updates on training and other resources, please join our email list.

Current PEPPER User's Guide:

• Hospice PEPPER User’s Guide (PDF, 11th Edition)

PEPPER Training Sessions

• May 2022 Hospice PEPPER Review: This webinar reviews the PEPPER for Hospice, version Q4FY21, released in early April, 2022. This webinar includes the history/background of PEPPER, a high-level review of the target areas, a walk-through of a sample PEPPER, and guidance for accessing the PEPPER. Download the PowerPoint slides (PDF), transcript (PDF) or the Q&As for this PEPPER update.
• Access a complete series of PEPPER training chapters, available as “chapters” for ease of access. A review of a sample Hospice PEPPER is also available.
• New PEPPER Format: This session reviews changes to the PEPPER for greater accessibility, cleaner presentation and improved readability. Download the PowerPoint slides (PDF) or the transcript (PDF) for this PEPPER recording.

Data Resources

• National Target Area Analysis
• National Top Terminal Diagnoses
• National Live Discharges by Type
• State Target Area Analysis
• State Top Terminal Diagnoses
• State Live Discharges by Type
• Peer Group Bar Chart

Demonstration PEPPER:

• Demonstration PEPPER version Q4FY21 (XLSX)

Jurisdictions:

• View a list of the 4 MAC jurisdictions and the number of hospices in each jurisdiction in total and by state for PEPPER version Q4FY21 (XLSX).

HOSPICE PEPPER TESTIMONIALS

• Learn how PEPPER helps a Washington hospice (PDF) focus on patients
• Learn how (PDF) a Kentucky Hospice uses PEPPER to monitor compliance risk areas.

Other Resources:

• Refer to this document for guidance on how to create a listing of patients included in the PEPPER target areas (PDF).
• History of Target Area Changes: This document identifies revisions to existing target areas that have been implemented since the Q4FY16 release. It includes a description of the revision and the expected impact in terms of the number of providers that have "reportable data" (numerator count of 11+) for the target area. This document will be updated on an ongoing basis.
• Reference CMS’ MLN Matters 8877 (PDF) article for guidance on site of service codes.
• Visit the NGS Website to view site of service (Q-code) job aids.
• Access the Hospice Medicare Billing Codes Sheet (PDF) from CGS
• Access the Medicare Claims Processing Manual (PDF) for hospices.
• View this slide presentation (PPT, updated 7-11-2013) on percents and percentiles to help understand the differences between “percent” and “percentile” and how they are used in PEPPER.

When: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 3 – 4 p.m. EDT
What: A WebEx presented by the RELI Group
Topic: This webinar will include the history/background of PEPPER, a high-level review of the target areas, a walk-through of a sample PEPPER, and guidance for accessing the PEPPER.

Registration is required.

REGISTER  HANDOUT

This program is being brought to you at no charge.

Because registration is limited to 1,000 sites, Hospices are encouraged to coordinate internally to prevent duplicate registrations and to allow as many Hospices as possible to participate. Registrants will receive an email with information about how to join the session.

For those unable to participate, the session will be recorded and posted here.

Handout: Download the handout. It will also be available via WebEx upon joining the session.