If You Have Complaints about Wisconsin Health Care

Information about Division of Quality Assurance (DQA)

DQA Web Pages Information

Provider Types Regulated by DQA

DQA Listservs

Consumer Information

Provider Search

DQA Facility Directories

DQA Provider Training

DQA Numbered Memos

DHS Forms

Construction/
Remodeling of Health Care Facilities

WI Nurse Aide Training and Registry Info

Caregiver Program/ Background Checks

WI Adult Programs Caregiver Misconduct Registry

Hospices - Information for Providers

Introduction | Rules & Regulations | Forms | Providers | Contacts | Publications | Related Sites

Division of Quality Assurance:

• e-SOD/e-POC Provider Information

• Survey Guide: Home Health and Hospice Licensure and Certification, P-63075 (PDF, 50 KB)

• Cross-walk between State Administrative Rules and Medicare Requirements (PDF, 181 KB)

• Hospice Application Process

• Construction/Remodeling of Health Care Facilities - Plan Review Requirements

• Reporting Client / Patient Death Attributable to
  Suicide, Restraint, or Psychotropic Medication

• Facilities Seeking to Perform Laboratory Testing - Information

• DQA Numbered Memos for Hospices

• Care Coordination between Hospice and Other Providers

  • Hospice / Residential Care Apartment Complex Interface (PDF, 88 KB)

  • Guidelines for Care Coordination for Hospice Patients Who Reside in Nursing Homes

  • Hospice/CBRF Interface (PDF, 88 KB) - Guideline to Care Coordination for Hospice Patients in Community Based Residential Facilities.
    PLEASE NOTE: This document was prepared by the Hospice Organization of Wisconsin (HOW) and is not a product of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. We are making this available as a service to the public. This document should not be construed as Department policy in any way.

• Quality Improvement Information
  Blue boxes in the text indicate links to other pages or Internet sites.  Sections have also been bookmarked, use the Acrobat Navigation Pane to view.

  • Providing a Quality Life While Avoiding Restraints (PDF 497 KB)

  • Care Planning 2000 (PDF, 293 KB)

• Health Facility Directories - including Hospice Agencies

• Filing a Complaint Resource Sheet (consumer information)

Other Wisconsin Information:

• DHS Provider Information

• Medicaid Hospice Provider Information

• The Diabetes Prevention & Control Program in Wisconsin - includes links to Care Guidelines and Strategic Plan 2004-2009 

Federal Information:

Federal Links - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (including S&C letters), HIPAA, Civil Rights, US Department of Labor, etc.

• S&C Letter 02-44 (exit DHS; PDF): "Impact of Nursing Shortage on Hospice Care", 9/12/02 - Temporary measure allowing hospices to contract for nursing care

• S&C Letter 02-29 (exit DHS; PDF): "Promising Practices in the Implementation of the Medicare Hospice Benefit in Nursing Homes", 5/10/02

• CMS Provider Center - Hospice Resource (exit DHS)

• Hospice Conditions of Participation (exit DHS)

• MDS (Minimum Data Set) What's New (exit DHS)

Licensee Change of Ownership:

If operation of the hospice is later transferred to another owner, ownership group, or to a lessee, the licensee is required to notify the Division of Quality Assurance at the time they are planning a change-of-ownership transfer as the license is non-transferable.

Documentation must be submitted to the Division of Quality Assurance to officiate the change of owner.

If operation of the hospice is later transferred to another owner, ownership group, or to a lessee, the Health Insurance Benefits Agreement will be transferred.

• You are required to notify the Division of Quality Assurance at the time you are planning a change-of-ownership transfer as your license is non-transferable.

• Complete all applicable sections of application, including Section B. which may be obtained from the Hospice Licensing Specialist who can be reached at 608-266-2702

See Rules & Regulations for hospices:

• Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 50.90

• Wisconsin Administrative Code, HFS 131 - Hospice Rules

• Please review and submit Policies and Procedures Necessary to meet HFS 131

• A nonrefundable fee of $300.00 must be included with your application as required under HFS 131.14(1), except that:

  • The fee for a hospice that is a nonprofit corporation and is served entirely by uncompensated volunteers or employs persons in not more than 1.5 positions at 40 hours of employment per week shall be $25; and
  • The fee for a hospice that is a nonprofit organization, that is served entirely by uncompensated volunteers and that charges no fees may be waived by the department upon request.

  Your check should be made payable to the Division of Quality Assurance.

• Caregiver Background Check Process  - A background check is completed on all signatories and interested parties having access to clients.

  • Select the appropriate section, "New Applicant" or "Existing License Holder."

  • Complete and return HFS 64A and HFS 69A.

  • Review Chapters 1 and 2 in the "Caregiver Program Manual" concerning the fees and process of employees' background checks.

The applications, fees, and forms should be sent to:  Department of Health Services, Hospice Licensing Specialist, Division of Quality Assurance, Post Office Box 2969, Madison, WI 53701-2969.

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Last Updated: March 29, 2013