In September 2010, under the guidance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the state of Arizona made available all medically necessary services, including hospice, available to individuals under 21. Prior to the provision from the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program hospice services were considered an optional benefit which Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were not required to cover. An announcement from the Arizona Association for Home Care outlined the changes above and indicated that the change in federal law also allowed individuals under 21 to receive hospice and curative treatments for their terminal illness concurrently. This announcement was found at the Arizona Association for Home Care website.

The Arizona Hospice Manual can be downloaded from the link below.