How to Set Up and Run Hospice Care in Alora EMR: A Complete Guide for New Agencies

Launching a Hospice line of service is a major step for any agency. It is a step that introduces new regulatory requirements, billing workflows, and interdisciplinary documentation standards.

Alora’s Hospice functionality was designed to make that transition seamless. Whether an agency is newly accredited or expanding from Home Health, Alora Hospice Software provides the tools, structure, and automation needed to start strong and stay compliant.

As a CHAP and ACHC accredited solution for hospice as well as home health, the solution is engineered for high performing agencies seeking to streamline workflow efficiency across the patient-care spectrum.

1. Office Configuration and Disciplines

Hospice care begins with configuration. When an office is designated as Hospice in Alora:

• Hospice-specific fields and documentation unlock automatically.
• Two new disciplines — Spiritual and Volunteer — become available.
• Agencies can maintain separate payers for Hospice and Home Health, simplifying accounting.
• Certification statements in the Plan of Care can be customized to reflect Hospice requirements.

This foundational setup ensures every document, workflow, and claim aligns with Hospice standards.

2. Billing Code Setup and Daily Rate Logic

Accurate billing in Hospice depends on proper billing code configuration. Alora simplifies this by allowing agencies to:

• Flag codes as Symptom Reassessment Visits (SRA) for HOPE tracking.
• Identify non-billable Chaplain or Volunteer visits.
• Use PM modifiers for post-mortem visits.
• Create Levels of Care (Routine, Respite, Inpatient, Continuous) that calculate per-diem or hourly rates automatically. Each level is tied to the Hospice discipline, ensuring daily charges post accurately and consistently.

3. Intake and Admission Tracking

When admitting a Hospice patient, Alora’s Hospice Tab captures essential compliance data:

• Notice of Election (NOE) tracking with a 5-day CMS submission reminder
• Benefit Period management and certification timelines
• Face-to-Face Encounter scheduling for recertifications
• Facility-Level Q-code linking for accurate location billing

Each field is integrated with downstream billing and reporting, minimizing denials and manual oversight.

4. Comprehensive Assessment and Care Planning

Alora Hospice EMR structures the Hospice Comprehensive Assessment as a unified process across disciplines—RN, MSW, and Spiritual Counselor.

• Each discipline’s assessment feeds directly into the Plan of Care (POC).
• Bereavement Plans and Tasks can be configured by risk level and activate automatically after death.
• Agencies can generate:
  • POC Plus – Standard plan of care with verbal Certification of Terminal Illness (CTI)
  • POC Plus & CTI – Combines plan and written certification
  • CTI Only – For Hospice physician documentation only

Hospice physicians can complete and sign CTIs directly from their Medical Director Dashboard, keeping documentation efficient and compliant.

5. Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Meetings and Ongoing Review

Alora streamlines IDT meetings — required at least every 15 days — with built-in documentation tools:

• Pre-meeting note entry and agenda tracking
• Signature page for all attendees
• Integration with orders and care plans

This ensures each meeting satisfies CMS requirements and reflects true interdisciplinary collaboration.

6. Hospice Billing and Claim Management

Hospice billing in Alora follows calendar-month sequencing:

• Claims must be submitted in order (Month 1 before Month 2).
• Each claim includes billable visits and level-of-care charges.
• NOE acceptance is verified before first-claim submission.
• Bereavement tracking and post-mortem visits are integrated into billing visibility.

By automating sequencing and charge generation, Alora prevents billing delays and reduces denials, saving agencies hours of manual work every month.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning into Hospice care doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Alora’s purpose-built software for hospice care, new agencies can set up, document, coordinate, and bill with confidence.

From the first NOE submission to the final bereavement plan, Alora ensures your agency delivers compassionate care, backed by compliant, efficient, and intelligent systems.

If your agency is looking for the best hospice EHR that delivers hospice-specific functionality, regulatory compliance, and unmatched support, Alora Hospice Software is the clear choice.

Other hospice care blogs:

1. What are the key performance indicators for hospice agencies?
2. What are the top strategies to grow your hospice referrals?
3. What are the crucial skills for home health and hospice hiring?
4. Selecting the best caregiver for end-of-life care