Idaho Medicaid Provider Handbook, Home Health and Hospice Services § 4

Hospice provides a holistic care concept designed to keep the participant comfortable, free of

pain, and in the least restrictive environment possible by providing services that are

reasonable and necessary for the palliation and management of a terminal illness, while

honoring the individual’s end-of-life care decisions.

Essential to the hospice benefit is that the participant or their representative understands the

nature of hospice care and philosophy. The hospice interdisciplinary team must coordinate

and manage all care received by the participant. The participant and caregiver are expected

to communicate with hospice personnel regarding needs or wishes related to emergent care

for hospice or non-hospice diagnoses, to ensure coordination of care and updates to the Plan

of Care as needed. For example, teaching interventions to deal with changes of status and

crisis management to prevent unnecessary emergent transportation and medical services

which are not a part of the participant’s end-of-life choices.