OPTIMAL HOSPICE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4380 S SYRACUSE ST
DENVER, CO 80237 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 29, 2009
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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) | 29 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
90
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 OPTIMAL HOSPICE CARE 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how OPTIMAL HOSPICE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 37th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
192
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 day11.1 min
Ranks better than about 37% 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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life95.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits48.9%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care2.2%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 months49.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 hospice0.4%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)52nd 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$19,716 · 59th 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 75.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids94.1%
- Visits in the last days of life75.8%
- All care steps completed93.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer7%
- Dementia52%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Optimal Hospice Care in Denver
Optimal Hospice Care serves families throughout the Denver, Colorado area from their office on S Syracuse St. They provide end-of-life support focused on comfort and dignity for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a care partner is a deeply personal decision for every family. Having a team that knows the local community helps provide smoother care during difficult transitions. This provider offers services designed to help manage pain and offer emotional support for both the patient and their loved ones. That is the core goal of hospice care. They have been serving the community since 2009, which means they have years of experience helping local families navigate these final months. You want a team that is not just skilled, but also present when you need them most. Optimal Hospice Care works to be that steady presence for the residents of Denver.
About Optimal Hospice Care
Optimal Hospice Care is a for-profit hospice provider. They earned their Medicare certification on November 29, 2009. That is a long history of serving the public. For-profit status simply means they operate as a business, but they must still meet the same federal rules as any other hospice. The thing is, all Medicare-certified hospices follow the same basic guidelines for care. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team structure and how they handle after-hours calls. What most people do not realize is that the quality of care can vary between locations. That is why looking at their official ratings is a smart first step. Medicare tracks how well these teams perform. They look at things like pain management and how often patients get the help they need. Optimal Hospice Care has been part of the Denver health landscape for over a decade now.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Denver
Denver has many hospice options for families to consider. Finding the right fit often comes down to how a team communicates with you. Some providers are large agencies with many staff members on the ground. Others are smaller teams that might feel more personal. The main thing to remember is that hospice is about quality of life. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on comfort instead of harsh treatments. Most hospice care happens right where the patient lives. That could be a private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. In a city like Denver, you have access to a wide range of medical resources. But the hospice team acts as your main point of contact for daily needs. They coordinate the doctors, the nurses, and the social workers. It is a team effort meant to support your family during a very busy season of life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when interviewing hospice teams. Start by asking simple questions to see how they respond. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if there is an emergency at night. You need to know that help is truly available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain management. Every patient has different needs, and the team should have a clear plan for your loved one. Third, ask how often a volunteer or social worker will visit. Emotional support is just as vital as physical care. And finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Some teams specialize in complex conditions. If you do not feel comfortable with the answers, it is okay to keep looking. You are building a team to walk this path with you. Trust your gut feelings when you speak with them.
Preserve Your Family Story
During this time, the stories and memories of your loved ones become even more precious. We can help you capture these moments to keep them safe for future generations.
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