R.I. Medicaid Provider Manual, Hospice Services 300-20, General Inpatient Care

Payment at the inpatient rate will be made when general inpatient care is provided and meets the Federal and State requirements for appropriate care level and document that the beneficiaries’ need for pain and symptom management is beyond the routine care level.

None of the other fixed payment rates (e.g., routine home care) will be applicable for a day on which the patient receives hospice inpatient care, except on the date of discharge. General inpatient care can be rendered in a hospice inpatient unit or participating SNF. This level of care is often needed for procedures required for pain control or acute symptom management, which is not feasible in other settings.