Determining Relatedness in Hospice: What Should Be Covered & How to Communicate & Document

Determining what is and is not related to a hospice patient’s terminal illness is one of the most critical and frequently challenging responsibilities under the Medicare hospice benefit. These decisions reach far beyond coverage of medications — they directly impact care planning, services, supplies, outside providers, billing, patient and family expectations, and the organization’s overall compliance and financial stability. When relatedness is unclear or inconsistently applied, the risk is not just confusion at the bedside — it can quickly become a systemic issue across the entire hospice.

Now that the FY 2027 Hospice Final Rule is in effect, the stakes are even higher. The election statement addendum has made relatedness determinations more visible, more formalized, and more consequential in day-to-day practice. This session will help hospice teams move beyond uncertainty and inconsistency, focusing on how to confidently make, document, and communicate relatedness decisions in a way that supports both compliance and patient understanding. Documentation and timeline requirements will also be reviewed, including the proper use of the election statement addendum and the ABN when applicable. Participants will leave with a clearer framework and process for navigating these decisions in real time, documenting their communications, and ensuring their organization is aligned, defensible, and prepared for what is now a fully implemented regulatory expectation.