§ 131E-203. Coverage. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 131E‑203. Coverage.

(a)        Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, noperson or other entity shall operate or represent himself or itself to thepublic as operating a hospice, a hospice inpatient facility, or a hospiceresidential care facility, or offer or represent himself or itself to thepublic as offering hospice services without obtaining a license from theDepartment pursuant to this Article.

(b)        Hospices administered by local health departmentsestablished under Article 2 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes shall notbe required to be licensed under this Article.  Additionally, health carefacilities and agencies licensed under Article 5 or 6 of Chapter 131E of theGeneral Statutes shall not be required to be separately licensed under thisArticle.  However, any facility or agency exempted from licensure under thissubsection which operates a hospice, a hospice inpatient facility, or a hospiceresidential care facility, or offers hospice services shall be subject to rulesadopted pursuant to this Article.

(c)        Hospice care shall be available 24 hours a day, seven days aweek. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984),c. 1022, s. 1; 1993, c. 376, s. 7.)