The Admission Process: The Hospice Medicare Election and Addendum

Video Runtime: 20 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 15 Minutes

During the admission process, the election statement is frequently viewed by the hospice team as a technical requirement. While it is that, it is also part of the process of making sure the patient and/or the patient's representative is informed and has been given an opportunity to make decisions. These decisions include choosing the hospice and the attending physician and determining when hospice care starts. Medicare is increasingly focused on a patient’s right to be involved in decisions when it comes to their own care. The technical requirements of a hospice election statement are there to protect patients and their representatives and ensure they understand how the benefit works, including what will and will not be covered under their election. Additionally, there are many times in hospice when a patient may not be able to make decisions or sign the election and will have a representative. This course reviews the technical requirements and the decision-making authority of representatives.