N.Y. Public Health Law § 4012-b: Hospice palliative care

§ 4012-b. Hospice palliative care. 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent

provision of this article to the contrary, a hospice may also offer a

program of palliative care for patients with advanced life-limiting

conditions and illnesses and their families. Such a program may be

provided by a hospice issued a certificate of approval pursuant to

section four thousand four of this article, acting alone or under

contract with a certified home health agency, long term home health care

program, licensed home care services agency or AIDS home care program,

as such terms are defined in section thirty-six hundred two of this

chapter. Nothing in this section shall preclude the provision of

palliative care by any other health care provider otherwise authorized

to provide such services.

2. For the purposes of this section "Palliative care" means the

active, interdisciplinary care of patients with advanced, life-limiting

illness, focusing on relief of distressing physical and psychosocial

symptoms and meeting spiritual needs. Its goal is achievement of the

best quality of life for patients and families.