HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to inpatient licensed facilities. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

New protections for Louisiana hospice patients

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana adds protections for hospice patients in nursing facilities, assisted living, and licensed residential inpatient settings. Patients have rights to comfort-focused care consistent with medical judgment, respectful communication, and explanations of food, fluid, and visitation decisions. Facilities must keep a written care plan identifying the hospice provider, who controls medical orders, and who handles daily care. It must also identify who handles daily food and fluids and the contact for the patient's family or representative. Patients and authorized family members or representatives can request the plan. During transfers, the sending facility must notify the hospice provider and family or representative as soon as practicable and provide the current plan. A new plan must be developed within 24 hours after transfer to the receiving facility. Missing required notice or failing to put the new plan in place must be reported to the Louisiana Department of Health. Facilities must log food and fluids offered, acceptance or refusal, and who orders withholding them, including the medical reason. Hospice providers and families or authorized representatives can request that log. Facilities cannot retaliate against families or representatives for raising care concerns. Visit or access limits require an identified provider's order, medical justification, written documentation, and notice to the family or representative before starting. The health department may investigate complaints and review care plans. Providers must submit correction plans for cited problems; the department may order corrections or impose administrative penalties.