NORTHWEST COLORADO HEALTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 1475 PINE GROVE DR
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 80487 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 5, 1994
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 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 NORTHWEST COLORADO HEALTH 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 NORTHWEST COLORADO HEALTH compares to hospices nationwide.
11.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 45th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
5
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 day11.8 min
Ranks better than about 45% 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 weekends9.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits48.6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care15.4%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 months7.7%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)79th 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$9,433 · 9th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 81.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment90.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.2%
- Visits in the last days of life81.6%
- All care steps completed91.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer50%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Northwest Colorado Health
Northwest Colorado Health serves the Steamboat Springs area from their office on Pine Grove Drive. They provide home health services to help patients manage their needs at home. This organization has provided care since 1994. They focus on local support for families in Routt County. Their team includes 17 employees who work to meet patient needs. This includes eight registered nurses and one physician. That is a solid base for a local team. Medicare recognizes them as a certified provider. You can reach them directly at their local office phone number to ask about their specific programs. They are a non-profit agency. This means they put their resources back into the community rather than paying out profits to shareholders. Choosing a local provider often makes communication easier for your family during a difficult time.
About Northwest Colorado Health
This agency operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the group focuses on its mission of service. They have held Medicare certification for three decades. Longevity in this field shows they know how to follow federal rules. The agency employs a dedicated staff of 17 people. This includes eight registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Having a physician on staff allows for medical oversight of your care plan. Families should know that non-profit providers often have different goals than private companies. They serve the public interest in Routt County. You can check their official quality scores to see how they perform on federal tests. These scores look at how well the agency manages patient symptoms and keeps them safe. High scores show a strong commitment to good outcomes for the people they serve.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Steamboat Springs?
Hospice care in Steamboat Springs focuses on comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. The team comes to where you live. This might be your own home or a local facility. You get a team that includes nurses and doctors. They work together to manage pain. They also support your emotional needs. A team with eight registered nurses can provide frequent visits. This helps you stay comfortable in your own space. Local providers understand the geography of Routt County well. They know how to reach you even when the weather turns cold. The goal is to keep you at home surrounded by the things you love. It is about quality of life. You can ask the agency how they handle travel to remote parts of the county if you do not live in town.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a provider can feel hard. You should ask clear questions to get the information you need. First, ask how many nurses will be on your specific care team. You want to know who is coming to your house. Second, ask how the agency handles emergencies after hours or on weekends. You need to know that someone answers the phone at all times. Third, ask how they coordinate with your current primary doctor. Good care happens when everyone talks to each other. Finally, ask what services they offer to help family caregivers. You might need help with basic tasks or emotional support. Write these questions down before you call. It keeps the talk focused. Do not feel bad about asking for details. You deserve to know exactly how they will support your loved one during this time.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Your family history is a treasure. We can help you save your favorite stories and memories during this time.
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Helpful Guides for Families
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
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.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.