GOLDEN BELT HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3421 FOREST AVE
GREAT BEND, KS 67530 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 3, 1992
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
8
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 GOLDEN BELT 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GOLDEN BELT HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
19.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 94th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
7
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 day19.2 min
Ranks better than about 94% 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 weekends7.3%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits21.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care22.2%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 months0%
Ranks better than about 97% 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 hospice11.1%
Ranks better than about 1% 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)91st 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$9,847 · 10th 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 71.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.3%
- Pain assessment96.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.1%
- All care steps completed96.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia29%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Great Bend
Golden Belt Hospice offers end-of-life care for families in Great Bend, Kansas. Located at 3421 Forest Ave in Barton County, this team focuses on comfort and dignity. They provide expert medical support during a very difficult time. The goal is simple. They want to help your loved one stay peaceful and pain-free at home. That is what matters most when time is short. This provider has served the local community for over thirty years. They bring a deep sense of care to every single home visit. You are not alone when you choose their team. They work hard to meet the physical and emotional needs of every person they serve. It is a local option built on trust and years of steady service to the people of Kansas.
About GOLDEN BELT HOSPICE
Golden Belt Hospice functions as a non-profit organization. This is a big deal for families. It means their focus stays on your care rather than making a profit for owners. They earned their Medicare certification back on June 3, 1992. That is a long history of meeting federal standards. They have been doing this work for over three decades now. What should you know? They have passed many reviews to keep that status active. Being non-profit often means they reinvest extra funds into better patient programs. It shows a commitment to the mission. You can feel good knowing they have a long track record in Barton County. They know the area well and they know the needs of local families. It is a stable choice for those seeking reliable, long-term hospice support in the Great Bend region.
Quality Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in GREAT BEND
Hospice is about living well until the very end. Many people think it is only for the final few days of life. That is a common mistake. It is actually a benefit that can last for months. The team in Great Bend includes nurses, aides, and social workers. They visit your home to check on your loved one. They handle the hard stuff like managing medicine and equipment. But they also offer emotional support for the whole family. The thing is, hospice is not a place you go. It is a service that comes to you. It works to keep your loved one in their own bed, surrounded by their own things. That comfort is priceless. By choosing a local provider like Golden Belt, you get a team that knows the community and understands your specific needs during this transition.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team can feel overwhelming. Start by asking these four simple questions. First, how fast can a nurse get to my home in an emergency? You want to know they are ready at 2:00 AM. Second, what does your team do to help with pain? You should hear about specific ways they stay ahead of discomfort. Third, how often will a volunteer or social worker visit us? This helps prevent burnout for the main caregiver. Finally, ask what happens if our needs change suddenly. A good provider will have a clear plan for extra support. Don't be afraid to ask these things. You are building a team to care for someone you love. Their answers should make you feel calm and heard. Trust your gut when you talk to them.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is hard, but it is also a chance to capture the memories and wisdom of your loved one. Preserving their voice and life story is a gift for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HARBOR HOSPICE OF KANSAS LP
HEARTLAND HOSPICE (WICHITA)
ENHABIT HOSPICE
PRAIRIE WIND HOSPICE LLC
HOSPICE THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM
MEADOWLARK HOSPICE
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.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
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.