Iowa Code Title IV. Public Health [Chs. 123-158] § 135J.2. Licenses--fees--criteria

1. A person or governmental unit, acting severally or jointly with any other person may establish, conduct, or maintain a hospice program in this state and receive a license from the department after meeting the requirements of this chapter. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the department and shall require information the department deems necessary. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a person or governmental unit from establishing, conducting, or maintaining a hospice program without a license. Each application for license shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable biennial license fee determined by the department.

2. The hospice program shall meet the criteria pursuant to section 135J.3 before a license is issued. The department is responsible to provide the necessary personnel to inspect the hospice program, the home care and inpatient care provided and the hospital or facility used by the hospice to determine if the hospice complies with necessary standards before a license is issued. Hospices that are certified as Medicare hospice providers by the department or are accredited as hospices by the joint commission on the accreditation of health care organizations, shall be licensed without inspection by the department.