ARKANSAS VALLEY HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 531 LEWIS AVE
LA JUNTA, CO 81050 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 18, 1986
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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 August 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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
17
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 ARKANSAS VALLEY HOSPICE INC 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ARKANSAS VALLEY HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
13.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 60th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
14
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day13.2 min
Ranks better than about 60% 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 weekends7.9%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits49.4%
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 care2.9%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 months26.5%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care5.9%
Ranks better than about 57% 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%
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$10,868 · 14th 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 52.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment97.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids83.8%
- Visits in the last days of life52.2%
- All care steps completed90.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Other conditions42%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Arkansas Valley Hospice in La Junta
Arkansas Valley Hospice Inc serves families in La Junta, Colorado, and the surrounding Otero County area. They offer hospice care as a freestanding provider. This agency has served the community since 1986. They focus on comfort and support for patients during end of life care.
About Arkansas Valley Hospice Inc
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status means they put their resources back into patient services rather than profit. They earned Medicare certification in November 1986. This long history shows they have stayed part of the health system for many years. Choosing a long-standing agency can provide peace of mind. Families should know that non-profit agencies often have deep roots in their local towns. Their team includes five registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have three physicians and one volunteer on staff. These roles work together to meet the needs of each patient. You can ask them directly about how their staff supports daily care routines. They are a local choice for those in the Otero area needing support.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in La Junta?
Hospice care in La Junta centers on comfort for the patient and their family. It is not about a specific building but a team coming to you. Most care happens at home. The staff at Arkansas Valley Hospice Inc includes five registered nurses who manage pain and symptoms. They also have a licensed practical nurse and three physicians on the team. One volunteer provides extra support as well. These team members visit regularly to check on the patient. They listen to your concerns and adjust the plan as things change. You do not have to handle medical issues by yourself. The goal is to keep the patient in their own bed, surrounded by familiar things. It is about making each day as good as it can be.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with several agencies before making a final choice. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Find out how many times a week a nurse will visit. Ask how they help with emotional support for the rest of the family. You might ask what happens if the patient needs care in a hospital instead of at home. It is also good to ask how they handle changes in pain levels. The right agency will answer these questions with patience. They want you to feel sure about your decision. Take your time during these calls. You are building a team to help your family through a hard time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of stories and lessons. We provide tools to help you record these memories so they are never lost.
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