Wis. ForwardHealth Online Handbook, Hospice, Topic #1150

Hospice services can either be provided directly by the hospice or by an organization under contract with the hospice. The

following are descriptions of core functions (those services provided directly by the hospice) and other functions (those specialty

services that may be provided by an organization under contract with the hospice). The hospice is required to maintain

professional, financial, and administrative responsibility for both core and other functions.

Core Functions

Core functions required under Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 107.31(2)(c), must be provided directly by the hospice unless an

emergency or extraordinary circumstance exists.

The following services are core functions that must be provided directly by hospice employees unless the member is receiving

short-term institutional care:

• Nursing care by, or under the supervision of, an RN (registered nurse), including home health aide services.

• Administrative and supervisory physician services.

• Medical social services provided by a social worker under the direction of a physician. The social worker is required to

have at least a Bachelor's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council of Social Work

Education.

• Counseling services, including, but not limited to, bereavement counseling, dietary counseling, and spiritual counseling.

Counseling services must be available to the terminally ill and the family members or other persons caring for the individual

at home.

• Volunteer services.

Other Functions

Other functions related to the terminal illness are defined as those supplemental services required under Wis. Admin. Code § DHS

107.31(2)(d), for which a hospice may contract to meet unusual staffing needs when it is not practical to hire additional staff or to

obtain physician specialty services. Other functions include:

• PT (Physical therapy)

• OT (Occupational therapy)

• SLP (Speech and language pathology)

• DME (durable medical equipment), DMS (disposable medical supplies), and personal care items related to palliation or

management of the member's terminal illness, provided by the hospice for use in the member's home while under hospice

care, as part of the written POC (plan of care)

• Drugs that are used primarily for the relief of pain and symptom control and related to the individual's terminal illness

• Short-term inpatient care provided in a hospital or SNF (skilled nursing facility) for pain control, acute symptom

management, and respite purposes

Note: PT, OT, and SLP services may be provided for purposes of symptom control or to enable the member to maintain activities

of daily living and basic functional skills.

Contracts with other organizations must include identification of services to be provided, the qualifications of the contractor's

personnel, the role and responsibility of each party, and a stipulation that all services provided be in accordance with applicable

state and federal statutes, rules and regulations, and conform to accepted standards of professional practice. Contracted functions

are paid for by the hospice.