# CMS Intensifies Hospice Fraud Enforcement in Texas

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding its program integrity enforcement efforts against hospice fraud, shifting focus to Texas following extensive actions in California. This initiative involves increased use of data analytics to identify suspicious billing patterns, leading to Medicare payment suspensions and audits targeting hospice providers. Texas hospice providers should anticipate heightened scrutiny and prepare to respond promptly to CMS inquiries and enforcement actions to maintain compliance and avoid payment disruptions.

- CMS applies advanced data analytics to detect potential hospice fraud, enabling immediate payment suspensions based on suspect data indicators.
- Hospice providers in Texas, including major cities like Houston and Dallas, face increased risk of audits and enforcement actions similar to those previously seen in California.
- Procurement and compliance professionals should ensure robust documentation and operational transparency to support rapid responses to CMS investigations.
- Legal and advisory services specializing in program integrity may see increased demand as providers seek guidance navigating enforcement complexities.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** May 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services

### Key Quotes
> CMS often relies solely on data analytics for such evidence to take immediate payment suspension action and then 'ask questions later' in its efforts to stop Medicare payments to hospices with suspect data indicators.
> — Howard J. Young, Attorney

> Texas hospice providers, as well as hospice providers in other states, should prepare now to be able to quickly respond and support its operations and respond to data analytics that raise program integrity concerns.
> — B. Scott McBride, Attorney

> Fraudulent actors operating in one jurisdiction often shift their activities to others as enforcement intensifies.
> — Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator

### Sources
- [
        CMS Trains Its Program Integrity Sights on Texas Hospices
    ](https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2026/05/cms-trains-its-program-integrity-sights-on-texas-hospices) - Morgan Lewis