Hospice Agencies

Overview

Hospice care is an approach to caring for terminally ill individuals that stresses palliative care (relief of pain and uncomfortable symptoms), as opposed to curative care. In addition to meeting the patient’s medical needs, hospice care addresses the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patient, as well as the psychosocial needs of the patient’s family/caregiver. The emphasis of the hospice program is on keeping the hospice patient at home with family and friends as long as possible.

Hospice agencies provide hospice care services, including full-service, volunteer, or inpatient hospice services. 

Who qualifies?

How to sign up

Initial licensing 

If you are interested in obtaining an initial license, please complete the following steps:

• Complete Hospice Licensing Application packet
• Pay the associated provisional licensing fee
• Provide an electronic copy of all policies and procedures

Submit all requested information to Health Facility Licensing and Certification. Your application will be reviewed by our unit staff. We will work closely with you to ensure your application meets all the licensing requirements, followed by an onsite inspection. 

Provisional licensing fee (varies by type, as follows):

• Volunteer Hospice - $100
• Non-Volunteer Hospice: $250
• Inpatient Hospice Facility: $250 + $75/bed

Plus $100 for each additional branch/subunit

How to use

Renew your application

To renew your license, please complete the Hospice Licensing Application and pay the renewal fee. You must submit the required information to Health Facility Licensing and Certification before April 1 of even-numbered years. 

Biennial renewal fee (varies by type, as follows):

• Volunteer Hospice - $200
• Non-Volunteer Hospice: $500
• Inpatient Hospice Facility: $500 + $150/bed

Plus $200 for each additional branch/subunit

Modify your application

If the facility needs to modify previously approved applications, a modification application and associated fee must be submitted to Health Facility Licensing and Certification.

Relocation fee: $250

Additional subunit fee: $250

Miscellaneous modification fee: $250

Report change of leadership

If the facility has a change in administrative leadership, a Change of Leadership form needs to be completed and submitted to Health Facility Licensing and Certification.

No associated fee

Resources

Statutes and regulations

The following statutes and regulations apply to licensed hospice agencies in the State of Alaska.

• Criminal Background Check 7 AAC 10.900 – 990
• General Variance Procedures 7 AAC 10.9500 – 9535
• Inspections and Investigations 7 AAC 10.9600 – 9620
• Hospice Agencies 7 AAC 12.310 – 349
• General Provisions 7 AAC 12.600 – 990
• Licensing Statute AS 47.32.010 - 900

In order to participate in Medicare, a hospice must meet federal requirements and be separately certified and approved. Federal requirements for hospices are outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). A list of specific regulations that apply to each facility type can be found in the Medicare State Operations Manual Appendix.