at least one of the following conditions within the past 12 months:
Aspiration pneumonia
Pyelonephritis or other upper urinary tract infection
Septicemia
Decubitus ulcers, multiple, stage 3-4
Fever, recurrent after antibiotics
Inability to maintain sufficient fluid and calorie intake with > 10%
weight loss during the previous six months or a serum albumin of < 2.5
gm/dL.
Significant dysphagia with associated aspiration measured objectively
(e.g., swallowing test or a history of choking/gagging with feeding).
A physician may determine that a patient has a life expectancy of six
months or less even if the above findings are not present. Co-morbidities
also support eligibility for hospice care.
