Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 50 - PUBLIC HEALTH-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Part XV - Services for Special Populations
Subpart 3 - Hospice
Chapter 41 - Prior Authorization
Section XV-4101 - Prior Authorization of Hospice Services

A. Prior authorization is required for all election periods as specified in §3501. C of this Subpart. The prognosis of terminal illness will be reviewed. A patient must have a terminal prognosis and not just certification of terminal illness. Authorization will be made on the basis that a patient is terminally ill as defined in federal regulations. These regulations require certification of the patients prognosis, rather than diagnosis. Authorization will be based on objective clinical evidence contained in the clinical record which supports the medical prognosis that the patients life expectancy is six months or less if the illness runs its normal course and not simply on the patients diagnosis.

B. Written Notice of Denial. In the case of a denial, a written notice of denial shall be submitted to the hospice recipient, recipients legal representative, and nursing facility, if appropriate.

C. Reconsideration. Claims will only be paid from the date of the hospice notice of election if the prior authorization request is received within 10 days from the date of election and is approved. If the prior authorization request is received 10 days or more after the date on the hospice notice of election, the approved begin date for hospice services is the date the completed prior authorization packet is received.

D. Appeals. If the recipient does not agree with the denial of a hospice prior authorization request, the recipient, the recipients legal representative, or the hospice on behalf of the recipient, can request an appeal of the prior authorization decision. The appeal request must be filed with the Division of Administrative Law within 30 days from the date of the postmark on the denial letter. The appeal proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.