Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Hospices have two less things to worry about, thanks to Palmetto GBA's question and answer set from the Nov. 17 Hospice Coalition meeting, which was released this month.

Item #1: Hospices don't have to have a new certificate of terminal illness signed by the patient's new attending physician of record if the patient makes a switch during a certification period, Palmetto says.

Item #2: And hospices don't have to complete another initial assessment if the patient unexpectedly changes residences. Medicare survey guidelines "require that the INITIAL assessment be conducted in the location where hospice services will be provided," Palmetto explains. "The plan of care is developed from that initial assessment and from the comprehensive assessment. If the patient's condition improves [and she moves home from the hospital, for example], another initial assessment would not be necessary. The plan of care and the patient's medical record should be updated to reflect this change in the patient's condition."