(a) While a client is under hospice care, a hospice must provide medical supplies and appliances as well as durable medical equipment related to the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, as identified in the hospice plan of care.(b) A hospice must ensure that manufacturer recommendations for performing routine and preventive maintenance on durable medical equipment are followed. The equipment must be safe, and work as intended for use in the client's environment. Where a manufacturer recommendation for a piece of equipment does not exist, the hospice must ensure that repair and routine maintenance policies are developed. The hospice may use persons under contract to ensure the maintenance and repair of durable medical equipment.(c) A hospice must ensure that a client, where appropriate, as well as the family or other caregivers, receive instruction in the safe use of durable medical equipment and supplies. The hospice may use persons under contract to ensure client and family instruction. The client, family, or caregiver must be able to demonstrate the appropriate use of durable medical equipment to the satisfaction of the hospice staff.(d) A hospice may only contract for durable medical equipment services with a durable medical equipment supplier that meets the Medicare standards for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies suppliers at 42 CFR §424.57.