An individual may change, once in each election period, the designation of the particular hospice from which he or she elects to receive hospice care. The change of the designated hospice is not considered a revocation of the election.

Transfer key points:

• To change the designation of hospice programs, the individual must file, with the hospice from which he or she has received care and with the newly designated hospice, a signed statement that includes the following information:
  • The name of the hospice from which the individual has received care
  • The name of the hospice from which they plan to receive care
  • The date the change is to be effective
• If the patient chooses to transfer in the 3^rd or subsequent benefit period, the transferring hospice must provide the receiving hospice evidence that the face-to-face encounter was completed.
• If there will be an anticipated break in hospice services during the transfer, then it is recommended to discharge and readmit the patient into the next benefit period.

The Regulations:  §418.30  Change of the designated hospice