The hospice telehealth encounter rule gains three exceptions
What the document says“this subclause shall not apply in the case of such an encounter with an individual occurring on or after January 31, 2026, if such individual is located in an area that is subject to a moratorium on the enrollment of hospice programs under this title pursuant to section 1866(j)(7)”
Subsection (f) of section 6209 extends to December 31, 2027 the use of telehealth for the face-to-face encounter before recertification for hospice care, and adds exceptions. The subclause does not apply, for an encounter on or after January 31, 2026, where the individual is in an area under a moratorium on hospice enrollment, where the provider is under enhanced oversight, or where the encounter is performed by a hospice physician or nurse practitioner not enrolled under section 1866(j) who is not an opt-out physician or practitioner.
What the document actually says“this subclause shall not apply in the case of such an encounter with an individual occurring on or after January 31, 2026, if such individual is located in an area that is subject to a moratorium on the enrollment of hospice programs under this title pursuant to section 1866(j)(7)”
This rule does not apply to a check on or after January 31, 2026. That holds if the person is in an area where no new hospice may sign up.
A hospice must check in with a patient before care goes on. That check can be done by screen. Three cases are now carved out.
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