COMMUNITY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1480 CARTER AVENUE
ASHLAND, KY 41101 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 1, 1983
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 15 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 8 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 97 |
59
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 COMMUNITY HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2005.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMMUNITY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 73rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
118
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 day14.6 min
Ranks better than about 73% 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 life92.3%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits66.8%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care15.8%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 months43.3%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care1.7%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 hospice1.7%
Ranks better than about 41% 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)97th 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$10,244 · 11th 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 51.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment92%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.2%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.6%
- Visits in the last days of life51.4%
- All care steps completed92.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease18%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Community Hospice in Ashland
Community Hospice operates from Carter Avenue in Ashland, Kentucky. They serve families in Boyd County by offering specialized end-of-life care. This provider has earned accreditation from the Joint Commission. That is a sign they meet high standards for safety and performance. They have offered these services to the public since 1983. Their team aims to help your loved ones stay comfortable and supported. It is a local option for those who need professional end-of-life care in the region.
About Community Hospice
Community Hospice functions as a non-profit organization. They operate as a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus solely on hospice care instead of being a small part of a larger hospital. The Joint Commission accreditation matters because it shows they follow strict rules for patient safety. They invite outside experts to check their work on a regular basis. This helps keep quality high for every patient. They support their mission with a large team. This team includes 59 employees and 97 volunteers who give their time to help families. You should look for these signs of stability when you choose care. The mix of paid staff and volunteers shows they have deep roots in the community. They have been certified by Medicare for over four decades now. That long history often suggests a stable and experienced team.
Quality Ratings
What Is Hospice Care Like in ASHLAND?
Hospice care in Ashland focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. You can expect a team approach to manage pain and daily needs. This team includes 15 registered nurses and 8 licensed practical nurses. A physician also leads the medical side of care. They work together to address physical symptoms and emotional needs. Volunteers also play a big part in their daily operations. They might provide companionship or help with small tasks around the home. Most people find that this extra layer of support makes a big difference. The care happens wherever the patient calls home. That could be a private house or a care facility. The goal is always to keep the patient surrounded by familiar faces and memories. It is about making each day count for the patient and their family members.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You also want to know how the team handles pain medication changes at night or on weekends. Ask who will be the main person you talk to when you have questions. It helps to know how they handle communication during a crisis. You might also ask if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one for a few hours. This gives family caregivers a chance to rest. Finally, ask what their plan is if the patient needs a higher level of care than the home can provide. Getting clear answers to these questions will help you plan for the coming weeks. Do not be afraid to ask for more details until you feel satisfied with the plan.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. We offer tools to help you record memories and preserve your family history for future generations.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
APPALACHIAN HOSPICE CARE
PENNYROYAL HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF LAKE CUMBERLAND
VNA HEALTH AT HOME
HERITAGE HOSPICE, INC
HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC DBA BLUEGRASS CARE N
Helpful Guides for Families
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hospice conversations with your loved ones. Get expert scripts, signs it is time, and tools to find quality care near you with Hospice Scout.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
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.