LCDforHospiceDeterminingTerminalStatusL13653.docVIP

LCD for Hospice -- Determining Terminal Status (L13653) GENERAL INDICATIONS:Medicare coverage of hospice depends on a physician’s certification that an individual’s prognosis is a life expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness runs its normal course. This policy describes guidelines to be used by Regional Home Health Intermediaries in reviewing hospice claims and by hospice providers to determine eligibility of beneficiaries for hospice benefits. Although guidelines applicable to certain disease categories are included, this policy is applicable to all hospice patients. It is