1. (a) The recipient shall be allowed hospice coverage divided into election periods as follows:

   1. (1) An initial 90-day period;
   2. (2) A subsequent 90-day period; and
   3. (3) An unlimited number of subsequent 60-day periods.
2. (b) The recertification associated with a hospice patient’s third benefit period, and every subsequent recertification, as referenced in (a)(3) above, shall include documentation that a hospice licensed practitioner or a hospice nurse practitioner had a face-to-face (FTF) encounter with the patient, and that the FTF encounter shall document the clinical findings supporting a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

3. (c) Election of hospice care in accordance with He-W 544.04 shall be considered to continue through the election periods specified in (a) above without a break in care if the recipient:

   1. (1) Remains in the care of the hospice provider; and
   2. (2) Does not revoke the election under the provisions of He-W 544.09.

Source. #9726-A, eff 7-1-10, EXPIRED 7-1-18 New. (See Revision Note at part heading for He-W 544) #13847, eff 1-6-24