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How Many Physicians must Certify a Patient for Hospice?

To qualify for Medicare hospice coverage, two physicians must certify that a patient is terminally ill. The certification process requires approval from:

  • The patient’s attending physician.
  • The hospice medical director.

These professionals must confirm that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its normal course.

For patients who live beyond the initial six-month period, a recertification process is required at regular intervals (initially after 90 days, and subsequently every 60 days). During recertification, the hospice medical director must confirm that the patient continues to meet the eligibility criteria.

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