CAPITAL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 5225 WISCONSIN AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20015 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 19, 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 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) | 19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 42 |
67
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 CAPITAL 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CAPITAL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
7.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 5th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
205
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 day7.1 min
Ranks better than about 5% 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 weekends8.4%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 life74.5%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 visits89.7%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 care8.2%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 months36.4%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care11.5%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 hospice3%
Ranks better than about 25% 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)92nd 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$19,816 · 60th 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 25.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life25.4%
- All care steps completed98.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia36%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support at Home in Washington
Capital Hospice provides end-of-life care for families living in Washington, District of Columbia. Their team works to keep patients comfortable at home or in residential settings. They focus on pain management and emotional support for the whole family. This provider has served the local area since 1986. That is nearly four decades of experience in the nation's capital. Choosing the right care team is a big decision. We want to make sure you have the facts to make a choice that feels right for your loved one. They are located on Wisconsin Avenue and serve the surrounding District of Columbia area.
About CAPITAL HOSPICE
Capital Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. Being non-profit often means the focus stays on patient needs rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since December 19, 1986. That is a long history of meeting federal health standards. You should know that quality can vary between different providers. This hospice holds an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars from Medicare. Their quality of care rating is also 4 out of 5 stars. That is a strong sign that they follow good clinical practices. But, it is always wise to look at the full picture before you sign any paperwork. The team is ready to help you understand your options for care. You can reach them directly at (202) 244-8300 to ask your questions.
Quality Rating Note
Understanding Hospice Care in Washington
Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about living the final months with dignity and peace. In a dense city like Washington, you have several choices for hospice care. Some providers are part of large hospital systems. Others are smaller, independent non-profits. The thing is, all Medicare-certified hospices must offer the same basic services. This includes nursing care, pain medicine, and help from social workers. What changes is the culture of the team. Some teams focus heavily on spiritual care, while others prioritize bedside nursing. And, you should look for a team that responds quickly when you call at night. That quick response makes a world of difference when a crisis happens at 2 a.m. Always ask how they handle emergency calls after hours.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a deeply personal task. You need to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Here are a few questions that can help you decide. First, ask how many nurses will be assigned to your loved one. You want a consistent team. Second, ask how they handle pain that is hard to control. They should have a clear plan for these moments. Third, ask what kind of support they offer for grieving family members. Most hospices provide this for a year after the loss. Finally, ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Some teams have special training for certain conditions. Don't be afraid to ask these questions. You are the best advocate for your family member.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
During this time, the memories and life lessons of your loved one are more precious than ever. We offer tools to help you record these stories to share with future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.
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.