Prior to Election of Hospice Services
Provider Type
- Physicians
- Participating Physician Groups (PPG)
- Hospitals
- Ancillary
AB 1299 (ch. 825, 2004) permits California-licensed hospice providers to provide certain preliminary and palliative services prior to the election of hospice services and requires the member to remain eligible for coverage of curative treatment.
Preliminary services are provided as determined by the member's primary care physician (PCP) or attending physician or at the member or member's family request and include preliminary:
- Palliative care consultations
- Counseling and care planning
- Grief and bereavement services
Palliative services include medical treatment, interdisciplinary care or consultation provided to the member or member's family that primarily attempt to prevent or relieve suffering and enhance the quality of life, rather than curing the disease.
Health Net members who have not yet elected hospice benefits are covered one time only for hospice consultation services.