Medicare regulations

Specialties Hospice

Published

I was trying to find some literature that details what the medicare guidelines are for VFO for HCA/HHA. Also if there is a guideline for census/case load limit. If anyone has insight, I would be grateful! I have looked on the CMS site and not found anything specific.

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

VFO? I don't believe you are going to find any staffing ratios for hospice care.

Because the visit frequency of at least nurses and social work is specified, Medicare doesn't have specific ratios for nurses and social workers; they leave it to the agencies to staff the caseload sufficiently. The cynic in me says that means Medicare leaves it to the nurses to figure out how they can possibly meet the needs of 15 or 20 dying patients and their families. Fortunately, Medicare doesn't regulate frequency for HHA/CHA participation. That would be a true nightmare, as many cases don't need and/or don't want HHA involvement.

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