CMS Seeks to Clarify Roles of Hospice, LTC Providers

CMS is seeking to revise the requirements that a facility would have to meet in order to participate as a skilled nursing facility in the Medicare program, or as a nursing facility in the Medicaid program. The goal of the proposed changes is to ensure that SNFs and NFs have a written agreement in place that would outline roles and responsibilities in the event that the facility chose to arrange for hospice care from a Medicare-certified hospice provider.

In the proposed rule, CMS stated that, "We believe there is a lack of clear direction regarding the responsibilities of providers in caring for LTC facility residents who receive hospice care from a Medicare certified hospice provider, which could result in duplicative or missing services."

To view the proposed rule, click here.