New and Revised Policies
Policy language developed to address the new and updated California hospice requirements.
California Hospice Regulatory Implementation Package
Focused Policy Updates for
California’s New Hospice Requirements
California’s hospice requirements changed significantly. Agencies with established hospice policy manuals may already address the Medicare Conditions of Participation and applicable accreditation standards, but their existing manuals may not include the state’s newly adopted requirements and policy areas.
The California Hospice Regulatory Implementation Package was developed specifically for agencies that already have a hospice manual and need a focused method for incorporating the new California requirements.
Package contents
What Is Included
Administrator Implementation Actions
Practical direction explaining what the hospice administrator should do to implement each policy and operational requirement.
The package goes beyond identifying what changed by helping the administrator understand the actions needed to put the new requirements into practice.
ACHC Standards Crosswalk
A crosswalk showing how the California requirements relate to applicable ACHC hospice standards.
CHAP Standards Crosswalk
A crosswalk showing how the California requirements relate to applicable CHAP hospice standards.
Although the accreditation standards have not changed, the crosswalks help agencies understand how the new California requirements align with their existing accreditation framework.
Updated Job Descriptions
Updated job descriptions reflecting responsibilities affected by the new California requirements.
Intended use
Who This Package Is For
This package is intended for:
- Existing California hospices with an established policy manual
- Agencies whose manuals were developed before the new California requirements
- Hospices preparing to update their policies and operational responsibilities
- Organizations seeking clear implementation guidance without replacing their entire manual
Important distinction
What This Package Is Not
This package is not a complete hospice policy and procedure manual.
It does not replace an agency’s existing policies addressing the Medicare Conditions of Participation, accreditation standards, or other general operational requirements.
It is a focused California regulatory update designed to supplement and revise the areas affected by the state’s new requirements.
A focused framework
A Practical Approach to Regulatory Change
SouthStart policies are designed to be practical, defensible, and straightforward to implement.
Rather than adding unnecessary content, this package focuses specifically on:
- What changed
- Which policies must be added or revised
- What actions the administrator must take
- How the requirements connect with ACHC and CHAP standards
- Which job responsibilities must be updated
California Hospice Regulatory Resource
California Hospice Licensing Regulations: Summary of Significant Regulatory Changes
A concise regulatory brief highlighting significant California hospice licensing requirements effective June 22, 2026, including geographic service area, two-hour nursing response, staffing, patient acuity, medical records, EHR requirements, CDPH reporting, and administrative office requirements.
Update the Requirements That Changed
Keep the compliant portions of your existing manual.
Add the focused California policy and implementation updates your agency now needs.