Report 2021-123 Recommendation Responses

Report 2021-123: California Hospice Licensure and Oversight: The State's Weak Oversight of Hospice Agencies Has Created Opportunities for Large-Scale Fraud and Abuse (Release Date: March 2022)

Recommendation for Legislative Action

The Legislature should revise state law to include a system of sanctions for Public Health to levy, including fines or license revocation, for the following: Violations of state law, regulations, or hospice standards by a hospice agency, including improperly certifying a patient as
eligible for hospice care.

Description of Legislative Action

AB 2673 (Chapter 797, Statutes of 2022) adds to the list of reasons for which the department may deny, suspend, or revoke a hospice agency license, including, improperly certifying a patient as eligible for hospice care, and demonstrating a pattern and practice of violations of state or federal standards during the last 3 years of a hospice agency owned, operated, or managed by the applicant or licensee.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented


All Recommendations in 2021-123