ASCEND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4550 W 109TH ST SUITE 210
OVERLAND PARK, KS 66211 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 16, 2006
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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) | 24 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 8 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
75
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 ASCEND 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ASCEND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 84th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
264
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 day16.3 min
Ranks better than about 84% 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 weekends6.5%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 life91.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits40.7%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care2.7%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 months51.1%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 care13%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 hospice1.6%
Ranks better than about 42% 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$20,509 · 63rd 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 74.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.0%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life74.7%
- All care steps completed98.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia48%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ascend Hospice
Ascend Hospice provides end of life care services to families in Overland Park, Kansas. This freestanding hospice center has served the local community since 2006. They hold an accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This third party group checks that the agency meets high national standards for safety and patient care. Having this stamp of approval shows their commitment to keeping care quality high for every patient they serve. Families can feel confident knowing this provider follows strict clinical rules to support their loved ones. They work hard to maintain these standards every single day.
About ASCEND HOSPICE
Ascend Hospice operates as an other-owned facility in Johnson County. They earned Medicare certification in late 2006. This means they meet the federal rules required to care for Medicare patients. Their accreditation from the ACHC is a big deal for families. This group audits hospice agencies to ensure they follow best practices for comfort and medical support. It proves they are not just meeting the minimum requirements. They go the extra mile to prove their quality to outside experts. This is the gold standard for how care should be delivered. When you choose an accredited provider, you get a team that is held to a higher standard of accountability and oversight. It makes a real difference in the quality of daily care your loved one receives.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in OVERLAND PARK?
Hospice care in Overland Park focuses on comfort and dignity for patients facing a serious illness. The team at Ascend Hospice consists of 75 total employees. This includes 24 registered nurses and 8 licensed practical nurses who provide medical support. They also have one volunteer on their team to help with companionship. A large team ensures that medical needs are met quickly and accurately. Nurses monitor symptoms and adjust care plans to keep the patient as comfortable as possible at home. That is the main goal. Having this many nurses on staff allows for frequent check-ins and better coordination. The team works together to support the physical and emotional needs of the patient during this time. They are prepared to assist when symptoms change or when family members need extra guidance.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice provider is a major choice for your family. You should ask clear questions to understand how they will help your loved one. Start by asking how many nurses they have available for after-hours calls. You also need to know how they handle sudden changes in pain or comfort levels. Ask them how often their nurses will visit your home. It is also smart to ask about their experience with specific health conditions. Do they have special training? Can they explain how the patient and family members will be supported together? These answers will help you see if their approach matches your personal values and needs. Take your time to get the answers you need to feel at ease with your final decision.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Preserve the memories and wisdom of your loved ones in a way that lasts for generations to come.
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How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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