412.22 Certification of terminal illness: As of January 1, 2011, a hospice physician or hospice nurse practitioner must have a face-to-face encounter with each hospice patient whose total stay across all hospices is anticipated to reach the 3rd benefit period. The face-to-face encounter must occur prior to, but no more than 30 calendar days prior to, the 3rd benefit period recertification, and every benefit period recertification thereafter, to gather clinical findings to determine continued eligibility for hospice care. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-418/subpart-B/section-418.22
Resources:
CMS Hospice Face to Face Fact Sheet
https://www.cgsmedicare.com/hhh/coverage/hospice_ftf_encounter.html
Hospice Tools Help Guide: