Administration of Initial Survey

After a hospice completes the four steps, HHSC surveyors conduct the initial survey.

The initial survey establishes whether the hospice should be recommended for licensure and Medicare certification based on the hospice's compliance with 42 CFR, Part 418, and the state guidelines found in 40 TAC, Chapter 97, Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies.

42 CFR, Part §418 is divided into 22 Conditions of Participation (CoPs) grouped into two sections: Subpart C - Patient Care, and Subpart D - Organizational Environment. Hospices must fully understand these conditions and remain in constant compliance with all of them.

If a hospice is found to be out of compliance with a CoP, certification will not be recommended.

The statutory authority for applying CoPs to hospices is found in §§1861(o) and 1891 of the Social Security Act.