Discharge, Transfer and Discharge for Cause
Sets the only reasons the Agency may discharge a patient (move out of the service area or transfer, no longer terminally ill, or for cause after four required steps), the physician discharge order, discharge planning, the Medicare notice of non-coverage and the patient’s right to a fast BFCC-QIO review, the discharge summary and records sent to the attending physician or receiving facility, and the notice of termination filed with Medicare.
About this policy
- Policy number
- DC-HSP-DIS-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 42 CFR §418.26
- Library
- Washington, DC hospice · 60 policies
- Category
- Hospice care
- Sections
- 21
In short
- We discharge only if the patient moves away or transfers, is no longer terminally ill, or for cause.
- Every discharge needs a written order from a hospice physician, after consulting the attending physician.
- Medicare patients get the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage at least 2 days before services end, and may appeal to the BFCC-QIO.
- Before a discharge for cause, warn the patient, try hard to fix the problem and record everything.
- Send the discharge summary to the attending physician or new provider, and tell billing the same day.
What's inside
21 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (42 CFR §418.26(a))
- 5. The Physician’s Discharge Order
- 6. Discharge Planning
- 7. No Longer Terminally Ill
- 8. Moving Out of the Service Area or Transferring
- 9. Discharge for Cause
- 10. Effects of Discharge
- 11. Discharge Summary and Records
- 12. Notices and Billing
- 13. After a Live Discharge
- 14. Responsibilities
- 15. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 16. Staff Training
- 17. References
- 18. Related Policies and Forms
- 19. Approval
- 20. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Show me a discharge because the patient was no longer terminally ill. Where is the physician’s discharge order and the attending physician’s review?
- When did you give the patient the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage, and did the patient appeal?
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