<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 31.10.09.04" title_num="31" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="09" heading="Minimum Hospice Care Benefits.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except as provided in §B of this regulation, the hospice care benefit offered shall include the following minimum benefits provided through a hospice care program:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>30 days of inpatient care per insured;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Part-time nursing care by or supervised by a registered graduate nurse;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Counseling, including dietary counseling, for the terminally ill insured;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Family counseling for the immediate family and the family caregiver before the death of the terminally ill insured;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Bereavement counseling for the immediate family or family caregiver of the insured for at least the 6-month period following the insured's death or 15 visits, whichever occurs first;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Respite care subject to the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The annual benefit shall be at least 14 days, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The carrier may limit any one inpatient stay for respite care to 5 consecutive days; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Medical supplies, equipment, and medication required to maintain the comfort and manage the pain of the terminally ill insured.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>If a contract does not include inpatient benefits, the carrier shall offer the benefits described in §A(2)—(7) of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If a contract contains hospital indemnity benefits but is defined as an expense incurred policy according to Regulation .02B(3) of this chapter, the hospice care benefit may limit the hospice daily inpatient benefit to the amount payable for hospital confinement under the contract.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>