<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".13" citation="COMAR 10.07.21.13" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="21" heading="Physician Services.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Medical Director. The hospice care program shall have a medical director who shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A physician licensed to practice medicine in this State; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Knowledgeable about the psychosocial and medical aspects of hospice care.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Medical Director Duties. The medical director is responsible for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Reviewing, coordinating, and managing the clinical and medical care for all patients in the hospice care program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Consulting with attending physicians regarding pain and symptom control;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Reviewing patient eligibility for hospice services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Acting as the medical resource for the interdisciplinary team;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Acting as the liaison to physicians in the community; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Designating a physician to contact in case the medical director is unavailable.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Attending Physician. An attending physician shall provide initial and ongoing medical services to the patient and participate in the development of the interdisciplinary plan of care.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Attending Physician Duties. At a minimum, the attending physician shall provide the following information before the patient is admitted to the hospice care program:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Admitting diagnosis and prognosis;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Current medical findings;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Dietary restrictions;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Medication and treatment orders, including instructions for symptom management; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Information concerning the medical management of patient conditions unrelated to the terminal illness.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The hospice care program shall ensure that the attending physician designates another physician to contact in case the attending physician is unavailable.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>