Sec. 10.09.35.03. Conditions of Participation

A. General requirements for participation in the Program are that providers shall:

(1) Meet all conditions for participation as set forth in COMAR 10.09.36.03, except as otherwise specified in this regulation; and

(2) Ensure that the licensure requirements as provided in Regulation .02 of this chapter are met.

B. Specific requirements for participation in the Program as a hospice care provider are that the provider shall:

(1) Meet the requirements of §A of this regulation.

(2) Be a participating Medicare hospice.

(3) Provide information about a participant's election, continuation, and termination of hospice care in accordance with procedures established by the Program.

(4) Provide directly or make available through arrangements the covered services in Regulation .06 of this chapter.

(5) Make nursing services, physician services, and drugs and biologicals routinely available on a 24-hour basis.

(6) Make all other covered services available on a 24-hour basis to the extent necessary to meet a participant's needs for care as specified in the participant's plan of care.

(7) Have a written policy, approved by the Program, which assures that the release of information from the participant's record is handled in accordance with applicable State and federal laws and regulations governing confidentiality.

(8) Ensure that all core services are routinely provided directly by the provider's employees. Volunteers under the jurisdiction of the provider are considered provider employees. Contracted staff may be used to supplement employees only when necessary during periods of peak patient loads, under extraordinary circumstances, or to obtain physician specialty services.

(9) Provide bereavement counseling, even though it is not a reimbursable service.