The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) notifying hospice providers of a temporary waiver of specified regulatory requirements due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Effective July 17, 2021, waivers allowing hospice providers to provide care prior to obtaining license renewal or reinstatement or to add a location or service will expire. Hospice providers with an existing waiver must have their license issued, renewed, or reinstated before July 17, 2021, to continue providing care. The temporary waiver of specified regulatory requirements for services will expire on September 30, 2021. Health examinations, tuberculosis testing, and background checks for new employees are temporarily suspended until September 30, 2021. Hospices are temporarily not required to provide or make provision for volunteer services. Services may be provided via telehealth or other remote methods, and small and rural hospices may temporarily provide services to more than 50 patients per year.

Summaries are generataed using AI. Check important information.