HospiceScout

HOME TOWN HOSPICE

OtherJoint Commission (JCAHO) AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
921 W MYRTLE
INDEPENDENCE, KS 67301
Ownership Type
Other
Medicare Certified Since
December 6, 2012

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction
Not yet rated

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

Staffing breakdown for HOME TOWN HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)2

11

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 HOME TOWN 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 HOME TOWN HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

20.8 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

6

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 day20.8 min

    Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends8.7%

    Ranks better than about 59% 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 life98.7%

    Ranks better than about 90% 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 visits8.6%

    Ranks better than about 96% 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 care25%

    Ranks better than about 1% 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 months37.5%

    Ranks better than about 48% 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 hospice12.5%

    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)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$8,967 · 7th 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 91.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening100%
  • Pain assessment100%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment100%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Visits in the last days of life91.8%
  • All care steps completed100%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Home Town Hospice in Independence

Home Town Hospice serves families throughout Independence, Kansas, and the surrounding Montgomery County area. They offer specialized end-of-life care designed to bring comfort and dignity to patients in their own homes. The team focuses on managing physical pain while supporting the emotional well-being of the entire family unit. Choosing the right partner for this journey is a deeply personal decision. Home Town Hospice works to ensure that their patients have access to the support they need when it matters most. Their presence in the community provides a local option for those facing a terminal illness. Families often find that having a local provider makes communication much easier and faster. This care model centers on the patient's goals and their specific wishes for their final months or weeks.

About Home Town Hospice

Home Town Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since December 6, 2012. This long history shows they have met federal standards for care for over a decade. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure, which is common for many local hospice agencies. That said, the important part for you is their commitment to meeting government quality rules. You can find them at 921 W Myrtle in Independence. When you meet with them, ask how their specific team is structured to support your loved one. Most families feel better once they understand how the nurse, aide, and chaplain roles work together. Medicare certification means they must follow strict guidelines for care quality and safety. It is a good sign that they have maintained this status for many years. You can reach their office directly at (620) 332-3215 to schedule a time to talk about your needs.

Quality Performance

Home Town Hospice holds an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars from Medicare. Their quality of care rating also sits at 4 out of 5 stars. This score comes from the CMS Hospice Care Index, which measures how well providers follow best practices for patient comfort and support. A four-star rating shows a strong commitment to quality care.

Understanding Hospice Care in Independence

Hospice is not a place you go, but a type of care that comes to you. In a town like Independence, this often means nurses and aides visit your home regularly. They help with pain, symptoms, and daily tasks that get harder as illness progresses. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and surrounded by their own things. It is about living the best life possible for as long as possible. Many families wait too long to ask for help because they think hospice is only for the very last days. But hospice can provide support for six months or more if a doctor agrees. Starting early means you have more time to build a relationship with your care team. That makes a big difference when emergencies happen. You deserve a team that listens to your goals and respects your family culture.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You should feel empowered to ask tough questions during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on the weekend. You need to know that support is truly available 24/7. Second, ask how many patients each nurse usually sees in a day. You want to be sure your loved one will get enough time and attention. Third, ask how they handle pain management and what medicines they use to keep the patient comfortable. Finally, ask if they have experience with your specific health condition. Every family has different needs, so do not be afraid to be specific. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions clearly. If they seem rushed or annoyed, that might be a sign to look for another option.

Preserve Your Family Stories

During this time, the memories and life lessons of your loved one are more precious than ever. We help you capture these stories to keep them safe for future generations.

Start Preserving Memories

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Helpful Guides for Families

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.