Kan. Medical Assistance Program Hospice Fee-for-Service Provider Manual § 8400, Inpatient Respite Care

• This type of care is provided only when necessary to relieve family members or other persons

caring for the individual at home. It may not be reimbursed for more than five consecutive days at

a time and may be provided only on an occasional basis. A hospice patient may enter a NF which

has contracted with the hospice for the purposes of receiving respite care.

• Certification that the member is terminally ill must be completed and filed with the hospice

providing care. Hospice services must be reasonable and necessary for the palliation or

management of the terminal illness and related conditions. A plan of care must be established

before services are provided. To be covered, services must be designated in the plan of care.

• In establishing the initial plan of care, the member of the basic interdisciplinary group who

assesses the patient’s needs must meet or call at least one other group member before writing the

initial plan of care. At least one of the persons involved in developing the initial plan of care must

be a nurse or physician.

• Other insurance is primary and must be billed first.