Healthcare Professionals
Medicare Hospice Benefit
A clinical overview for referring physicians and healthcare professionals.
The Medicare Hospice Benefit (MHB) covers a comprehensive range of services under a per-diem payment model. Key points for referring clinicians:
Physician certification
The attending physician and hospice medical director must both certify a six-month prognosis at enrollment, and again at each benefit period renewal.
Attending physician's role
You remain the patient's attending physician throughout hospice. Lasena Health's medical director oversees hospice-related care, but the attending physician continues to direct overall medical care. Billing for physician visits continues as normal for non-hospice diagnoses.
Communication
Our clinical team will provide regular updates on the patient's status, care plan changes, and significant clinical events. We will contact you promptly for any urgent changes.
Medication management
The MHB covers medications related to the terminal diagnosis. Medications for other conditions continue to be covered by Medicare Part D.
Documentation
We handle NOPP, election statements, and benefit period certifications. We will coordinate with your office for required physician signatures.