Contract Services

Contract Services 1. When the hospice provides services on a contractual basis to a patient the hospice is responsible for all actions of the contract personnel. 2. The hospice shall not at any time use contract employees as administrator/alternate or for the provision of core services unless the facility provides documentation that a waiver has been granted in accordance with certification requirements. 3. Whenever services are provided by an organization or individual other than the hospice, a written agreement will delineate services available and procedures for accessing those services. 4. Whenever services are provided by an outside agency or individual, a legally binding written agreement must be effected. The legally binding written agreement shall include at least the following items: a. Identification of the services to be provided; b. A stipulation that services may be provided only with the express authorization of the hospice; c. The manner in which the contracted services are coordinated, supervised, and evaluated by the hospice; d. The delineation of the role(s) of the hospice and the contractor in the admission process, patient/family assessment, and the IDT conferences; e. Requirements for documenting that services are furnished in accordance with the agreement; f. The qualifications of the personnel providing the services; g. Assurance that the personnel contracted complete the clinical record in the same timely manner as required by the staff personnel of the hospice; h. Payment fees and terms; and i. Statement that the hospice retains responsibility for appropriate hospice care training of the personnel who provide care under the agreement. 5. The hospice shall document review of its contract on an annual basis. 6. The hospice is to coordinate services with contract personnel to assure continuity of patient care. 7. Hospice maintains professional management responsibilities for those services and ensures that they are furnished in a safe and effective manner by qualified persons and in accordance with the patient’s POC.