FL H0497

Revises legislative findings to include seriously ill patients (in addition to terminally ill) and their families' rights to select support systems providing palliative and supportive care while maintaining independence and dignity.

Defines three new terms: "community palliative care" (consultative care addressing physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs across care settings); "hospice program" (continuum of palliative and supportive care); and "seriously ill" (life-threatening condition manageable through palliative care).

Authorizes hospices to identify licensed funeral service providers for patients and creates new section 400.6093 allowing hospices or contracted providers to offer community palliative care to seriously ill patients and families.

Community palliative care services include consultation by licensed board-certified physicians or advanced registered nurse practitioners, assistance with advance care planning and spiritual needs, grief support, and volunteer services; excludes personal care and does not mandate additional Medicaid coverage.

Effective date: July 1, 2018.