§ 4012-B — Hospice palliative care

§ 4012-b. Hospice palliative care. 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent\nprovision of this article to the contrary, a hospice may also offer a\nprogram of palliative care for patients with advanced life-limiting\nconditions and illnesses and their families. Such a program may be\nprovided by a hospice issued a certificate of approval pursuant to\nsection four thousand four of this article, acting alone or under\ncontract with a certified home health agency, long term home health care\nprogram, licensed home care services agency or AIDS home care program,\nas such terms are defined in section thirty-six hundred two of this\nchapter. Nothing in this section shall preclude the provision of\npalliative care by any other health care provider otherwise authorized\nto provide such services.\n 2. For the purposes of this section "Palliative care" means the\nactive, interdisciplinary care of patients with advanced, life-limiting\nillness, focusing on relief of distressing physical and psychosocial\nsymptoms and meeting spiritual needs. Its goal is achievement of the\nbest quality of life for patients and families.\n