<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 10.09.35.03" title_num="10" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="35" heading="Conditions of Participation.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General requirements for participation in the Program are that providers shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Meet all conditions for participation as set forth in COMAR 10.09.36.03, except as otherwise specified in this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure that the licensure requirements as provided in Regulation .02 of this chapter are met.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Specific requirements for participation in the Program as a hospice care provider are that the provider shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Meet the requirements of §A of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Be a participating Medicare hospice.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide information about a participant's election, continuation, and termination of hospice care in accordance with procedures established by the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Provide directly or make available through arrangements the covered services in Regulation .06 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Make nursing services, physician services, and drugs and biologicals routinely available on a 24-hour basis.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Make all other covered services available on a 24-hour basis to the extent necessary to meet a participant's needs for care as specified in the participant's plan of care.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Have a written policy, approved by the Program, which assures that the release of information from the participant's record is handled in accordance with applicable State and federal laws and regulations governing confidentiality.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Ensure that all core services are routinely provided directly by the provider's employees. Volunteers under the jurisdiction of the provider are considered provider employees. Contracted staff may be used to supplement employees only when necessary during periods of peak patient loads, under extraordinary circumstances, or to obtain physician specialty services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Provide bereavement counseling, even though it is not a reimbursable service.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>