For purposes of determining current utilization, applicants shall use the West Virginia Health Care Authority’s (Authority) most recent finalized Hospice Survey. If this finalized survey is more than one (1) year old at the time the application is filed, an applicant must conduct a written survey of all existing hospice providers in the applicants proposed service area.

Using the most recent edition of the West Virginia Vital Statistics, published by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, Office of Epidemiology and Health Promotion the applicant will use the following calculation to project need.

• Total deaths for the county (x) 25 percent = Total projected hospice users.
• If the total projected hospice users exceed the current utilization by 25 patients, then an unmet need exists.