Section 325.13301. Contractual services.

(1) A hospice and its hospice residence, if applicable, may contract with other health care providers or appropriate parties for the provision of care and services when the hospice and/or its hospice residence, if applicable, does not have sufficient qualified staff or available adequate equipment to render such services directly. Contracts for shared services shall be written and shall clearly delineate the authority and responsibility of the contracting parties. Contracts with providers  shall   maintain the responsibility of the hospice and its hospice residence, if applicable, for coordinating and administering the hospice and its hospice residence, if applicable, program.

(2)     The  hospice  administrator  shall   maintain  responsibility  for coordinating and administering the hospice program.

(3)   Any and all personnel provided to the hospice and its hospice residence, if applicable, under the terms of contracted services shall be licensed or credentialed as required by law.

(4)      All contracts shall include financial arrangements and charges, including donated services.

(5)   All contracts shall state the availability of service.

(6)    A contracted service shall not absolve the hospice from responsibility for the quality, availability, documentation, or   overall  coordination  of patient?family unit care or responsibility for compliance with any federal, state, or local law or rules and regulations.

(7)   All contracts shall be reviewed annually and revised if necessary.

(8)    All contracts shall be signed and dated by the administrator and the duly authorized official of the agency providing the contractual service.

(9)   All contracts shall state that the contractor will provide services to the patient in accordance with the patient care plan developed by the hospice.

(10)   Employees of an agency providing a contractual service shall not seek or accept reimbursement in addition to that due the  agency for the actual service delivered.

(11)   All contracts shall prohibit the sharing of fees between a referring agency or individual and the hospice and its hospice residence, if applicable.

History: 1984 AACS; 2003 AACS.