GIP Level of Care: Tools & Resources

General inpatient care (GIP) is available to all hospice beneficiaries who are in need of pain control or symptom management that cannot be provided in any other setting. The care is intended to be short term and is not intended to be custodial or residential.

Once a beneficiary’s symptoms are stabilized, or pain is managed, he/she must return to a routine level of care. The beneficiary may remain in a facility due to safety, but Medicare will not pay for GIP unless the beneficiary is in need of this level of care, and it is clearly documented in the medical record.

The following tools are offered to assist you as you appropriately serve your patients through the GIP level of care.

GIP Resource Guide for Utilization, Coordination & Documentation
The Carolinas Center’s Hospice Facilities Member Interest Group has developed this resource, and continually updated it, to guide hospice agencies in the utilization, coordination and documentation of the General Inpatient (GIP) level of care in accordance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs).

The GIP Level Of Care Resource Guide is useful in any GIP setting to guide the Interdisciplinary Group’s critical thinking process in assessment, goal identification, establishment of an effective plan of care, and communication of that plan to all involved in the care. Additionally, the guide provides suggestions for content and wording of documentation to support the GIP level of care. Since the tool addresses the Medicare CoPs around coordination of care as well as documentation, this guide can be used in all areas of a hospice agency, not just for the provision of GIP care. Use of this tool does not guarantee payment.

Click here to access the GIP Resource Guide.

NOTE: This tool is not endorsed by any professional agency, governmental agency, or Medicare Administrative Contractor.

Hospice GIP Audit Tool (From Palmetto GBA)
Palmetto GBA has developed a GIP checklist that TCC staff member Annette Kiser assisted in developing. We recommend it, as it is very comprehensive.

To download the Hospice GIP Audit Tool, click here.