Hospice, Inc.

Metropolitan

    
Guide to Eligibility  Diagnoses   Q & A
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome / Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS/HIV)
© 2004 Metropolitan Hospice Inc. All rights reserved

The patient must have 1a or b, 2 and 3:

1a.
CD4 + Count < 25 cells mcl
OR
1b.
Persistent viral load > 100,000 copies/ml from two (2) or more assays at least one month apart
AND
2. At least one (1) of the following conditions:
  • CNS lymphoma
  • Untreated or refractory wasting (loss of > 33% lean body mass)
  • Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteremia, untreated, refractory or treatment refused
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Systemic lymphoma
  • Refractory visceral Kaposi's sarcoma
  • Renal failure in the absence of dialysis
  • Refractory cryptosporidium infection
  • Refractory toxoplasmosis
AND
3.
Palliative Performance Scale* of = 50% (requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care, activity limited mostly to bed or chair)
Supporting Document
Supporting factors: chronic persistent diarrhea for one year, persistent serum albumin < 2.5, concomitant active substance abuse.
In the absence of one or more of the above findings, rapid decline or comorbidities may also support eligibility for hospice care.