FL S0724

Expands the definition of "hospice" to serve both terminally ill patients (life expectancy of 1 year or less) and seriously ill patients (those with life-threatening conditions that may be irreversible and managed through palliative care).

Authorizes hospices to provide palliative care directly or through contracted providers to seriously ill patients and their families, including management of side effects from disease treatment.

Creates new definitions of "hospice program" and "seriously ill" in statute to clarify the scope of services and patient populations eligible for hospice care.

Clarifies that hospice services focus on terminally ill patients while establishing a separate provision allowing expansion to seriously ill patients receiving palliative care.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.