Making Hospice Care Work for Patients and Pharmacies

Cencora's Hospice Pharmacy Connect program helps pharmacies improve their hospice business and is offered with no enrollment fees.

The Hospice Pharmacy Connect (HPC) program helps solve this challenge by empowering independent pharmacies to deliver exceptional hospice care while supporting fair reimbursement and operational efficiency.

Supporting Care Without Compromising Financial Stability

Hospice Pharmacy Connect is designed to make hospice care financially sustainable for pharmacies. Rather than navigating complex or unclear reimbursement models, pharmacies can establish their own rates for medication dispensing, ancillary services, and service fees— so they are properly compensated for the care they provide.

This approach restores balance, allowing pharmacies to invest in patient care without sacrificing margins. It also provides greater transparency, giving pharmacies confidence in their role within the hospice care model.

Strengthening Local Care Partnerships

One of the program’s most significant benefits is its focus on keeping care local. Hospice Pharmacy Connect partners independent community pharmacies directly with hospice agencies, strengthening relationships and keeping caregivers at the center of patient care.

These direct pharmacy–hospice relationships create a more coordinated experience, with pharmacists participating in interdisciplinary care teams and contributing to medication management decisions. This collaboration helps hospice patients receive timely, personalized treatment while remaining connected to trusted local providers.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency

In addition to financial transparency, Hospice Pharmacy Connect helps reduce the administrative burden that often comes with hospice services. The program supports pharmacies by handling key functions such as billing, formulary management, and hospice reporting.

It also simplifies processes like e-prescribing and prior authorizations, allowing pharmacy teams to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on patient care and business growth.
With integrated tools and workflows, pharmacies can operate more efficiently, protect their margins, and expand their hospice services with greater confidence.

Leveraging Technology to Optimize Care

Technology plays a critical role in optimizing both efficiency and patient outcomes. The program provides electronic prescribing tools that streamline prescription ordering, approval, and communication between hospice teams and pharmacies.

These digital tools offer several advantages:

• Stronger relationships with hospice partners through seamless communication
• Increased efficiency, allowing pharmacy teams more time with patients
• Enhanced patient safety through secure prescription transmission

By reducing delays and minimizing errors, electronic prescribing helps hospice patients receive the medications they need—quickly and safely.

Delivering Compassionate, High-Touch Care

At its core, Hospice Pharmacy Connect allows pharmacies to do what they do best: provide compassionate, personalized care. Community pharmacies are known for their high-touch service and strong patient relationships, and this program helps to deliver that level of care as patients transition into hospice.

Next Steps: How to Get Started

For pharmacies interested in joining other stores that are utilizing our Hospice Pharmacy Connect program, connect with our HPC team at hpc@cencora.com to learn more and start the conversation.

Taking these steps can help position your pharmacy for long-term success while expanding your impact on patient care and making hospice services a profitable income for your store.