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by which basic hospice care services are delivered. The agency must review its policies and procedures at least annually. The program director shall document each review by dating and signing an attestation. The agency shall revise its policies and procedures if determined necessary by the agency or by the department to ensure that each policy and procedure is current and adequate for purposes of carrying out the agency’s functions and maintaining consistency with this chapter. (f) Volunteer services in a volunteer hospice agency must be directed by a coordinator of volunteer services who shall

(1) implement a direct service volunteer program;

(2) coordinate the orientation, education, support, and supervision of direct service volunteers; and

(3) coordinate the use of direct service volunteers with other hospice staff and community resources. (Eff. 5/24/2007, Register 182; am 5/14/2021, Register 238) Statutory Authority: Authority: AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030 7 AAC 12.318. Admission criteria. (a) A hospice agency may accept a client for hospice care only if the hospice agency has a reasonable expectation that the hospice agency will adequately meet the client’s needs. At the time an individual is accepted for care, or no later than two days after the day when care is initiated, the agency shall obtain written certification that the client has a terminal illness. If written certification cannot be obtained within two days, the agency shall obtain verbal certification within two days, and obtain written certification as follows:

(1) for a volunteer hospice agency, within 21 days, from the attending physician;

(2) for a full-service hospice agency, before billing for services, from the physician member of the interdisciplinary team or, if the team does not have a physician member, from the attending physician or another physician. (b) A full-service hospice agency shall obtain an updated certification of terminal illness at the end of each of the first two 90-day periods of care. If a client remains under the care of the agency for more than two 90-day periods, the agency shall reevaluate the client every 60 days