Center to Advance Palliative Care

...
For Patients and Families
Partner
Sponsor
 
  Print this page
Views

CAPC Palliative Care Discussion Forum
Palliative Care in Long Term Care Settings

Next Reply: Re:Hospice in SNFs -- what licensure is required?
Previous Message: Palliative care program in the LTC
Next Message: Follow-up Question to audio presentation of 3/25

Post Hospice in SNFs -- what licensure is required?
Author: akinderman
Date: Mar 16, 2010 12:39 pm
I am an MD in California and have been told by our hospital/system SNF that the SNF would need to be specially licensed as a hospice in order to allow an outside hospice agency to provide care. This does not seem correct, based on past experience.

Can others -- particularly those familiar with California law -- speak to what a SNF must do (legally) to allow a hospice agency to provide care in their facility?

Thanks!
Replies: order by [Date] [Author] [Subject]
Re:Hospice in SNFs -- what licensure is required? (by PCaines on 03/18/2010)
The below response is by:
Gretchen Brown
President/CEO of Hospice of the Bluegrass

You are correct that an outside hospice agency may provide hospice care in an SNF based on the Federal Conditions of Participation. What is required is for there to be a contractual relationship between the hospice and the SNF. Sample contracts could likely be obtained from NHPCO, though HOB could provide one as an example, not a template. Not only can the outside hospice provide routine home care but can also provide if the patient's condition qualifies Continuous Home Care and if there is an RN 24 hours a day inpatient care. Care can be provided to both Medicaid beneficiaries and other beneficiaries. If the patient is a medicaid beneficiary the hospice also pays the room and board rate at 95% -100%.

While I am not versed in California law, I know that VITAS, a large for profit has many programs in California. Generally at least half their patients reside in Long Term Care and that often, if not usually, they also offer inpatient care in the SNF.

Usual caveats apply. The SNF patient cannot access their Skilled Nursing Part A benefit at the same time they are access hospice unless the condition for which they are receiving skilled nursing care is unrelated to the terminal illness.

IMPORTANT: In order to post a new message or reply to an existing post in the discussion you must login. If you are not a registered member you may join here.
The statements posted in the forum section of capc.org are opinions expressed by website visitors and do not necessarily represent the viewpoints or positions of the Center to Advance Palliative Care(CAPC). CAPC is not responsible for the factual or legal accuracy of any of the statements posted.


General questions about using the CAPCconnect™ palliative care discussion forum? EmailPatricia.Caines@mssm.edu

Lost login username/password questions? Email: Margaret.Schutz@mssm.edu