Hospices
- Definition:
- A hospice is a public agency or private organization or a subdivision of either that is primarily engaged in providing care to terminally ill individuals. Hospice care is an approach to caring for terminally ill individuals that stresses palliative care (relief of pain and uncomfortable symptoms), as opposed to curative care. In addition to meeting the patient’s medical needs, hospice care addresses the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patient, as well as the psychosocial needs of the patient’s family/caregiver. The emphasis of the hospice program is on keeping the hospice patient at home with family and friends as long as possible. Although some hospices are located as a part of a hospital, nursing home, and home health agency, all hospices must be separately licensed.
- Exemptions:
- Any hospice operated by the federal government.
- Type Regulation:
- State: A hospice must obtain a license.
Federal: A hospice choosing to participate in the federal programs must be certified. To obtain more information about certification and general information on Hospices, visit the CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) website:
Hospice Center
- Legal Authority:
- O.C.G.A Sec. 31-7-170, Title 31- Health; Chapter 7- Regulation and Construction of Hospitals and other Health Care Facilities; Article 9- Hospice Care
The following link will take you to the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Code website. Scroll down the page to find O.C.G.A. § 31-7-170.
- Rules:
- • State: Rules and Regulations for Hospices, Chapter 290-9-43, effective August 16, 2005.
- • Federal: Hospice Care, CFR Title 42, Chapter IV, Part 418 (for those facilities that chose to be certified)
- Fees:
- • License: No charge
- • Rules: $7.50
Other Resources:
Hospice Training Materials from 9/07/07 GHPCO Symposium
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