title: Coding and reimbursement mechanisms for physician services in hospice and palliative care.
abstract: Many physicians misperceive that the current coding system used to bill third-party payers in the United States does not include codes related to hospice and palliative care. This article will help physicians and hospice and palliative care providers to: 1) understand how to code for physician services related to hospice and palliative care; 2) review the documentation required to support such services; 3) understand the differences between the reimbursement mechanisms to be used when the patient is enrolled in the Medicare Hospice Benefit, and the usual reimbursement mechanisms; and 4) understand some of the approaches for funding non-physician palliative care services for patients not enrolled in the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
authors.affiliation: San Diego Hospice, San Diego, California 92103-1407, USA. cvongunt@sdhospice.com
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: von Gunten
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirschner
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Emanuel