Ind. IHCP Hospice Services Provider Reference Module, Section 1, Hospice Core and Noncore Services

The IHCP hospice benefits mirror the Medicare hospice program in defining hospice core services and

hospice noncore services.

• Hospice core services are covered services in the Medicare and IHCP hospice per diem that must

be provided directly to members by hospice employees. Hospice core services include the

following:

➢ Hospice nursing care

➢ Hospice medical social services

➢ Hospice physician services (general supervisory services, participation in establishment of the

plan of care, supervision of the plan of care, periodic review and establishment of governing

policies)

➢ Hospice counseling services (including bereavement, dietary, spiritual and other counseling)

• Hospice noncore services are any services, in the Medicare or IHCP hospice per diem, not

identified as hospice core services. Hospice providers may contract other healthcare professionals to

provide hospice noncore services. However, the hospice must still retain oversight as the manager of

the member’s hospice care.

Nonhospice physician services (that is, physician services other than those specified in 405 IAC 5-34-8(3))

represent another distinct service category. However, these services are reimbursed on a fee-for-service

basis and are not affected by the location-of-care category. For additional information, see Section 6:

Billing and Reimbursement.