Membership is open to all licensed hospice programs in West Virginia and requires payment of annual dues based on size. Each member agency designates an individual as their voting delegate. When a hospice becomes a member, any staff, volunteer or Board Member can participate in meetings, on committees and may hold office (upon approval of the member agency). Associate membership is open to all organizations interested in hospice and palliative care, but this does not include voting privileges. Hospice agencies may not join as associate members. Individuals may also join, but cannot vote.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
- Quarterly Meetings
- Educational meetings with CE for social workers and nurses
- Weekly Newsletter with regulatory updates, hospice news: national and state
- Opportunities for mentoring new staff; support for leadership
- Advocacy for improved hospice legislation and reimbursement
- Representation in the state legislature and updates on health-related legislation that impacts hospice
- Representation with the Fiscal intermediary to address issues with payment and additional documentation requests (CGS Medicare)
- Representation with WV Medicaid
- Representation with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization on the Council of States – reports and updates given to membership
- Networking for CEOs and select disciplines, such as nurses, social workers, volunteer coordinators, bereavement staff, quality improvement
- Committee conference calls quarterly
- Support with questions on regulations and other issues
- Listed on the Hospice Council of WV website hospicewv.org
- Ad hoc committees may be formed to work on special issues, such as palliative care, We Honor Veterans, pediatric programs and inpatient hospice care