Ensuring Equality in Hospice Care with Status Codes

Advanced Revenue Cycle Management believes that every patient deserves equal access to high-quality hospice care regardless of race, income, education level or social status. Our CEO, Delaine Henry, recently joined efforts with the LMHPCO Healthcare Disparities Task Force to bring greater awareness to the critical role status codes play in identifying the social determinants of health that often go unnoticed in hospice settings.

These status codes—grouped under ICD-10—aren’t just medical; they reflect deeper barriers to care such as homelessness, food insecurity, illiteracy and caregiving concerns. They allow hospice providers to recognize and document real-world challenges patients face, which ultimately helps Medicare identify and address disparities.

Empowering Hospice Teams with Knowledge

What’s surprising is how few hospice and home health agencies are utilizing these codes despite having frontline access to this information. Unlike traditional diagnosis codes, status codes can be documented by clinicians in the home, making it easier to track and report patient needs directly to Medicare. Delaine emphasizes that clinicians are in a unique position of trust, often able to detect sensitive issues without judgment or stigma.

By using these codes consistently and compassionately, hospice providers can help uncover systemic challenges and contribute to nationwide data that supports more equitable healthcare solutions.

Leading the Way in Healthcare Equity

As a founding member of the LMHPCO Healthcare Disparities Task Force, ARCM is proud to be part of the movement to close care gaps and advance health equity in hospice care. The task force is already ahead of the curve, aligning closely with new Medicare benchmarking rules and quality reporting requirements.

By actively participating in initiatives like the Healthcare Disparities Task Force, ARCM is not only supporting better documentation and compliance but also driving meaningful change in how care is delivered.

To learn more about our work with LMHPCO and how your agency can get involved, contact us!