Variations in Care: Hospice programs differ in the: * * * * Human and administrative resources available to provide bereavement services Methods used to track, manage, and report bereavement program activities Length of their follow-up care (programs range from 12 to 24 months) Additional services offered beyond those listed above (e.g., grief camps, retreats, lending libraries, special events, grief therapy, educational trainings, and crisis response) Note that the regulatory requirements from the Medicare Conditions of Participation specify bereavement services must be offered 'up to one year' after the death of the patient and the NHPCO Standards suggest a 13-month time frame. Regulatory Requirements: Medicare COP: §418.64(d)(1): Bereavement counseling. The hospice must: (i.) Have an organized program for the provision of bereavement services furnished under the supervision of a qualified professional with experience or education in grief or loss counseling. (ii.) Make bereavement services available to the family and other individuals in the bereavement plan of care up to 1 year following the death of the patient. Bereavement counseling also extends to residents of a SNF/NF or ICF/MR when appropriate and identified in the bereavement plan of care. It is important that hospices create bereavement-specific guidelines that detail the availability and scope of services and clearly delineate policies and procedures. (iii.) Ensure that bereavement services reflect the needs of the bereaved. (iv.) Develop a bereavement plan of care that notes the kind of bereavement services to be offered and the frequency of service delivery. A special coverage provision for bereavement counseling is specified in §418.204(c). Spring 2018 | NHPCO NewsLine 9