Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, completely free. No sign-ups, no fees, no subscriptions. We do not charge hospice providers to be listed — all data comes directly from the federal government (CMS). No one can pay to rank higher on this site.

All provider data comes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Data Catalog. The current release is from February 2026 and covers quality scores from April 2024 through March 2025.

We update our listings every time CMS publishes a new data release. CMS typically updates hospice data several times a year. The date of the current dataset is shown at the bottom of every page.

Yes. These are official Medicare quality measures collected directly from hospice providers and published by the federal government. They reflect actual patient care records, not reviews or self-reported information. A score of 95% means the hospice performed a certain care step for 95 out of every 100 patients who needed it.

Providers may have changed their status after our data was published. Always call the hospice directly to confirm they are currently accepting patients in your area.

Hospice care is for people with a serious illness who are no longer seeking treatments to cure it. The goal shifts to making sure a person feels as comfortable and loved as possible in the time they have left. A hospice team — nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains, and aides — supports the whole family, not just the patient.

A doctor must certify that a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if their illness takes its usual course. But many people live longer than expected while in hospice — and some improve enough to leave and return to regular care. Hospice is not giving up. It is choosing quality of life.

Yes. Most hospice care takes place in the patient's own home or in an assisted living or nursing facility where they already live. Inpatient hospice centers are also available for patients who need a higher level of care or symptom management.

Yes. Medicare Part A covers hospice care for patients who qualify. This includes nursing visits, medications for comfort, aide services, chaplain support, social work visits, and bereavement counseling for the family. Most patients pay little or nothing out of pocket.

Yes. You can change hospice providers at any time, for any reason. Your care will continue without a gap. Just let your current hospice know and contact the new provider.

Absolutely. Many families start looking early — and that is a good thing. Knowing your options ahead of time means you will not feel rushed when the moment comes. There is no commitment to contacting or using any provider you find here.

Start by looking at quality scores on each facility page — these are real measurements from Medicare. Then call two or three providers to ask about their response times, weekend nurse availability, and what family support they offer. Visit if you can. There is no wrong choice if the team makes you feel heard and supported.

Good questions to ask: How quickly can you start care? Who do I call at 2am if something changes? How often will a nurse visit? What happens if my loved one needs more care than home hospice can provide? What bereavement support do you offer the family after a patient passes?

Each score is a percentage showing how often the hospice performed a specific care step. For example, a pain screening score of 98% means that 98 out of every 100 patients who needed pain screening got it. The Hospice Care Index (0–10) is an overall score that combines ten separate measures.

Not necessarily. Both types can provide excellent care. What matters most is how responsive the team is, how well they communicate, and whether they make your family feel supported. Use the quality scores as a starting point, but always call and ask questions.

Hospices typically serve a defined geographic area. If a hospice is listed in your city, they should be able to serve your home. Call them directly to confirm they cover your specific address.