Every finding on record at Sunrise Hospice, Inc.

It is required that a patient clinical record containing past and current findings are maintained for each hospice patient. Each patient’s record includes, at a minimum, signed copies of the notice of patient rights and the hospice election statement. This standard was not met, as evidenced by a review of clinical records and interviews. 2 of 13 (15%) records reviewed revealed that the agency did not ensure that the hospice election statement was completed. Per the agency's policy and procedure manual (Eligibility and election of the Medicare hospice benefit PE.5 page 3), "The election statement will include the date of election of hospice care which is the effective date of the election statement. The patient may sign the hospice election statement with a later (not earlier) effective date. The effective date may not be retroactive". Clinical Record 1 identified the patient elected hospice care on 7/19/2022. The XXX Hospice Election Statement (page 3 of the consent pack) was signed by the patient caregiver, but the "Effective date" was left blank. The statement read, "I acknowledge and understand the above and authorize Medicare hospice coverage to be provided by XXX Hospice, Inc to begin on (Effective Date):____. Note the effective date of the election, which may be the first day of hospice care or a later date but may be no earlier than the date of the election statement." Clinical Record 2 identified the initial RN assessment was completed on 8/25/2022. The XXX Election Statement (page 3 of the consent pack) was signed by the patient caregiver, but the "Effective date" was left blank. The statement reads, "I acknowledge and understand the above and authorize Medicare hospice coverage to be provided by XXX Hospice, Inc to begin on (Effective Date):____. Note the effective date of the election, which may be the first day of hospice care or a later date but may be no earlier than the date of the election statement." Per the agency's policy and procedure manual (Eligibility and election of the Medicare hospice benefit PE.5 page 3), "The election statement will include the date of election of hospice care which is the effective date of the election statement. The patient may sign the hospice election statement with a later (not earlier) effective date. The effective date may not be retroactive".