What is the typical length-of-care structure for hospice certification periods?

• A. One 90-day period followed by two 60-day periods
• B. Two 90-day periods followed by unlimited 60-day periods
• C. Three 60-day periods
• D. Five 60-day periods

Answer: (B)

Hospice certification periods follow a specific time-block pattern for ongoing eligibility. The initial phase consists of two 90-day certification periods. If the patient still meets criteria after those two periods, subsequent certifications are in 60-day blocks, with no fixed limit on how many of these 60-day periods can occur—as long as prognosis and care needs continue to justify hospice services. This structure allows regular re-evaluation after the first two periods and continued eligibility in 60-day increments thereafter. The other options don’t fit because they either shorten the initial periods too early or propose a fixed number of 60-day blocks, whereas the standard includes unlimited 60-day periods after the first two 90-day periods.