US Codex
Bill
Notes

Hospice Commitment to Accurate and Relevant Encounters Act

H.R. 2208 · 114th Congress · May 1, 2015 · Lineage

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to strengthen and protect Medicare hospice programs.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Hospice Commitment to Accurate and Relevant Encounters Act” or the “Hospice CARE”.

Sec. 2 Ensuring timely access to hospice care

(a)
In general— Section 1814(a)(7)(D)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(D)(i)) is amended to read as follows:

“(i) a hospice physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant (as those terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)), or other health professional (as designated by the Secretary), has a face-to-face encounter with the individual to determine continued eligibility of the individual for hospice care prior to the first 60-day period and each subsequent recertification under subparagraph (A)(ii) (or, in the case where a hospice program newly admits an individual who would be entering their first 60-day period or a subsequent hospice benefit period or where exceptional circumstances, as defined by the Secretary, may prevent a face-to-face encounter prior to the beginning of the hospice benefit period, not later than 7 calendar days after the individual’s election under section 1812(d)(1) with respect to the hospice program) and attests that such visit took place (in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary); and”

(b)
Effective date— The amendment made by subsection (a) takes effect on January 1, 2016, and applies to hospice care furnished on or after such date.