Washington Administrative Code
Title 182 - Health Care Authority
WASHINGTON APPLE HEALTH
Chapter 182-551 - Alternatives to hospital services
Subchapter I - HOSPICE SERVICES
Hospice-General
Section 182-551-1000 - Hospice program - General

(1) The medicaid agency's hospice program is a twenty-four hour a day program that allows a terminally ill client to choose physical, pastoral/spiritual, and psychosocial comfort care and a focus on quality of life. A hospice interdisciplinary team communicates with the client's nonhospice care providers to ensure the client's needs are met through the hospice plan of care. Hospitalization is used only for acute symptom management.

(2) A client, a physician, or an authorized representative under RCW 7.70.065 may initiate hospice care. The client's physician must certify the client as terminally ill and appropriate for hospice care.

(3) Hospice care is provided in a client's temporary or permanent place of residence.

(4) Hospice care ends when:

(5) Hospice care includes the provision of emotional and spiritual comfort and bereavement support to the client's family member(s).

(6) Medicaid agency-approved hospice agencies must meet the general requirements in chapter 182-502 WAC, Administration of medical programs -- Providers.