NORTHERN ARIZONA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 203 SOUTH CANDY LANE, SUITE 2A
COTTONWOOD, AZ 86326 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 25, 1984
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 13 |
11
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what NORTHERN ARIZONA HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how NORTHERN ARIZONA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 67th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
90
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day13.9 min
Ranks better than about 67% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life97.1%
Ranks better than about 80% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits52%
Ranks better than about 51% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care6.8%
Ranks better than about 47% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months31.5%
Ranks better than about 65% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care11%
Ranks better than about 31% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice2.7%
Ranks better than about 29% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)67th percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$16,889 · 44th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 84.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.4%
- Visits in the last days of life84.7%
- All care steps completed97.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease19%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions33%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Your Loved Ones
Northern Arizona Hospice provides end-of-life care for families in Cottonwood and the surrounding Yavapai County area. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and managing symptoms when a cure is no longer the primary goal. They offer care right where you live, whether that is a private home or an assisted living facility. The goal is simple: to help your loved one live as fully as possible during their final months. It is about making every day count. If you are in the Cottonwood area, this team is ready to step in and offer support for both the patient and the entire family unit. They understand the local community and the specific needs of residents in this part of Arizona.
About NORTHERN ARIZONA HOSPICE
Northern Arizona Hospice has been Medicare certified since July 25, 1984. That is over four decades of experience serving this community. Being a for-profit organization, they operate with a clear structure to deliver services efficiently. But what does that mean for you? It means they have clear processes for how care is delivered and monitored. They work hard to meet the strict standards set by federal health programs. Families should know that this provider has a long history in Yavapai County. They have seen many changes in healthcare over the years, but their core mission remains the same. Choosing a provider with this much tenure can provide a sense of stability during a very difficult time. It is helpful to know they have been a part of the Cottonwood medical landscape for a very long time.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in COTTONWOOD
Hospice is a specialized type of care. It shifts the focus from trying to cure an illness to improving the quality of life. In Cottonwood, families often find that hospice brings a team of nurses, social workers, and aides to their doorstep. This team helps with medicine, equipment, and emotional support. The thing is, many families wait too long to call. They think hospice is only for the very last days. That is a common mistake. You can start hospice care much sooner to get the full benefit of their services. And the best part is that Medicare covers these services for most people. It is a relief to have experts available who know how to handle pain and stress. You do not have to carry this burden alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision. You want to feel confident in the people entering your home. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to an emergency call in the middle of the night. You should also ask what kind of support they provide for family caregivers. It is smart to ask how often a nurse will visit the patient. Finally, ask if they have staff who can help with spiritual or emotional needs. Do not be afraid to ask these questions. You need clear answers to make the right choice for your loved one. A good provider will be happy to explain their process. If they seem rushed or annoyed, look for someone else. You deserve a team that listens and cares.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with your loved one is precious. Capture their stories, memories, and wisdom before they are gone to create a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
AVIANT HOSPICE YAVAPAI
ASCENSION HOSPICE LLC
EMBLEM HOSPICE TUCSON
SUNSET HOSPICE LLC
HOSPICE COMPASSUS-PAYSON
HOSPICE COMPASSUS-CASA GRANDE
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.