Coding and reimbursement mechanisms for physician services in hospice and palliative care

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 file 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.