ASCEND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4550 W 109TH ST SUITE 210
OVERLAND PARK, KS 66211 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- 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 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) | 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 screening98.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life74.7%
- All care steps completed97.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia48%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Ascend Hospice in Overland Park
Ascend Hospice provides end of life care for patients in Overland Park, Kansas. They operate out of their office on West 109th Street. This team holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. That is a clear sign they meet high standards for safety and patient care. They have served the community since 2006. Many families look for this type of third party review when they choose a provider. It shows the group follows strict rules for how they treat people. Their staff works to bring comfort and support to those who need it most. They are a for profit organization serving Johnson County. Finding the right care matters for your loved one. This provider works to meet those needs every single day.
About Ascend Hospice
Ascend Hospice is a for profit provider that started its Medicare journey in 2006. They are a freestanding hospice. This means they are not part of a hospital or a nursing home. Being a freestanding group allows them to focus solely on hospice care. Their ACHC accreditation is a big mark of quality. The ACHC looks at how a hospice manages its daily work. They check if the provider follows federal and state laws. This gives families more peace of mind. The team includes 24 registered nurses and 8 licensed practical nurses. These nurses work alongside one volunteer to support patients. That is a large clinical team for a group of this size. Their total staff count is 75 people. This size allows them to keep a close eye on patient needs. You should know that they have a strong record of service in Kansas.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Overland Park?
Hospice care in Overland Park focuses on making a patient comfortable. It happens where the patient lives. The team comes to the home or a care facility. They provide pain control and emotional support. This care is for people with a life limiting illness. Ascend Hospice uses a team of 32 nurses to handle medical needs. That is a solid ratio of nurses to the total staff. They aim to keep patients at home as long as possible. The goal is to manage symptoms so the patient stays alert. Families often find this support helps them enjoy more time together. It is not just about the patient. It is about the whole family unit. The team helps with the daily tasks that become hard to manage. They work to ensure the patient has dignity and peace throughout their final months.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how the team handles an emergency at night. You need to know who will answer the phone at 3 AM. Ask how often a nurse will visit your loved one each week. It is also good to ask about their volunteer program. A good provider will talk about how volunteers spend time with patients. Ask them how they manage pain and other symptoms. You should also ask how they keep the family informed about changes. Do not be afraid to ask for a list of the services they provide. You might also ask if they have experience with your specific health needs. A clear answer helps you make a better choice. Take your time with these questions. Your peace of mind is the priority here.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered by future generations. Start preserving those precious memories today.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HARBOR HOSPICE OF KANSAS LP
AHC HOME HEALTH OF KANSAS, LLC (HOSPICE)
PHOENIX HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
INTERIM HEALTHCARE OF KANSAS CITY, INC
SUNSET HOSPICE LLC
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
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