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Physician Services

Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (CMS Pub. 100-02, Ch.9 §40.1.3) Globe to indicate www link.

Physicians are instrumental in directing the beneficiary’s plan of care and hospice services.  The medical director or physician from the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) must be a doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathy (DO).  The beneficiary may choose an attending physician, who can be an MD, DO or a nurse practitioner.  However, a nurse practitioner may not sign certifications of terminal illness.  For more information about Nurse Practitioners as Attending Physicians, refer to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (CMS Pub. 100-02, Ch.9 §40.1.3b) Globe to indicate www link.

The beneficiary may see the hospice physician, or their attending physician for their terminal illness.  Visits to other physicians for symptoms related to the terminal illness must be planned through the hospice agency to be paid.  The beneficiary may continue to seek healthcare for issues other than their terminal illness under traditional Medicare.  The beneficiary should be instructed to communicate these visits with their hospice to aid in care planning.

Resources

Billing Hospice Physician Services Quick Reference Tool

Page last updated: March 20, 2008

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