LAC 50:XV.4303. Levels of Care for Payment

A. Routine Home Care. The routine home care rate is paid for each day the patient is under the care of the hospice and not receiving one of the other categories of hospice care. This rate is paid without regard to the volume or intensity of routine home care services provided on any given day and is also paid when the patient is receiving hospital care for a condition unrelated to the terminal condition. This rate is also paid in the following situations: 1. if the patient is in a hospital that is not contracted with the hospice; or 2. if the patient is receiving outpatient services in the hospital; or 3. for the day of discharge alive from general inpatient care or respite care level of care. B. Continuous Home Care. Continuous home care is to be provided only during a period of crisis (see §3901.A.11.b). If less skilled care is needed on a continuous basis to enable the person to remain at home, this is covered as routine home care. 1. The continuous home care rate is divided by 24 hours in order to arrive at an hourly rate. 2. A minimum of eight hours must be provided. 3. For every hour or part of an hour of continuous care furnished, the hourly rate is paid for up to 24 hours a day. C. Inpatient Respite Care. The inpatient respite care rate is paid for each day the recipient is in an approved inpatient facility and is receiving respite care (see §3901.A.11.c). Respite care may be provided only on an occasional basis and payment for respite care may be made for a maximum of five days at a time including the date of admission but not counting the date of discharge. Payment for the day of discharge in a respite setting shall be at the routine home level-of-care discharged alive rate. 1. Payment for the sixth and any subsequent days is to be made at the routine home care rate. 2. Respite care may not be provided when the hospice patient is a nursing home resident, regardless of the setting, i.e., long-term acute care setting. D. General Inpatient Care. Payment at the inpatient rate is made when an individual receives general inpatient care in an inpatient facility for pain control or acute or chronic symptom management which cannot be managed in other settings. General inpatient care is a short-term level of care and is not intended to be a permanent solution to a negligent or absent caregiver. A lower level of care must be used once symptoms are under control. General inpatient care and nursing facility or intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities room and board cannot be reimbursed for the same recipient on the same covered days of service. Payment for the day of discharge in a general inpatient setting shall be at the routine home level-of-care discharged alive rate. 1. For the day of discharge from an inpatient unit, the appropriate home care rate is to be paid unless the patient dies as an inpatient. 2. When the patient is deceased, the inpatient rate (general or respite) is to be paid for the discharge date.