Recertification/Decertification
All hospice patients are evaluated at regular intervals by the hospice team to certify that they continue to qualify for hospice care. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to be evaluated by your attending physician, the hospice Medical Director, or even have some lab or diagnostic work completed. You will have an opportunity to participate in this important decision-making process.
However, if it is determined that your medical status is improved or stabilized you may no longer need nor qualify for hospice care. At this time you are decertified. Hospice staff remain available to reevaluate you for readmission to hospice should your medical status change.
Transfer
You may transfer to another hospice one time in each benefit period as may occur if you are visiting or move out of our service area. Hospice staff will assist you in transferring to a hospice in the area you will be located.
Discharge
Occasionally patients are discharged from SJH HospiceCare and may be referred to another agency better suited to meeting their needs. Some reasons for discharge include:
- A longer than six month prognosis.
- Lack of an attending physician.
- Unsafe situation for hospice staff and volunteers.
- Patient/Family/Caregiver decision to discontinue hospice care.
- Moving outside the service area of hospice without transferring to another hospice.
Revocation
If your wishes regarding medical treatment change and are not consistent with the developed hospice plan of care, you may revoke hospice services and pursue your choice of treatment options. Your regular Medicare and Medicaid coverage will be back in effect as soon as you sign a revocation form. Hospice staff remain available to reevaluate you for readmission to hospice care should your medical or philosophical status change.
SJH HospiceCare staff remain available to re-evaluate discharged hospice patients as their situations warrant.
Medicare Hospice Benefit – information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Care Financing Administration
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
Publication No. HCFA 02154
Revised March 2000