Ind. IHCP Hospice Services Provider Reference Module, Section 1, Inpatient Respite Hospice Care

Inpatient respite hospice care is short-term inpatient hospice care provided to the member, only when

necessary, to relieve the primary caregivers. Inpatient respite hospice care may be provided only on an

occasional basis. Inpatient respite hospice care may be provided in a hospice facility, hospital or nursing

facility that meets the parameters in 42 CFR 418.108(b).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospice final rules state the care needs of a respite

patient are equivalent to those of the patient in their home and, therefore, may not necessitate registered

nursing care on a 24-hour basis. Rather, staffing for a facility solely providing the respite level of service to

hospice patients should be based on each patient’s care needs. The requirements for respite care can be

found in 42 CFR 418.108(b).