HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC.
Provider Information
- Address
- 57 DENNIS SANDLIN, MD COVE
HAZARD, KY 41701 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 19, 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 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) | 93 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 8 |
| Volunteers | 41 |
375
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 HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC. reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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.
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 HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC. compares to hospices nationwide.
12.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 48th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
404
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 day12.1 min
Ranks better than about 48% 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 weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life95.4%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits77.6%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 care6.8%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months42%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care6.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice2.5%
Ranks better than about 31% 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$14,547 · 31st 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 69.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment96.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.0%
- Visits in the last days of life69.2%
- All care steps completed95.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc.
Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc. serves the Hazard, Kentucky area. This non-profit provider offers care for patients who need support at the end of life. They have served the community since 1992. They focus on providing medical and comfort care to families in Perry County. Their team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes or care facilities. The organization maintains a large staff to meet the needs of those they serve. They are a freestanding hospice provider. This means they operate independently to offer specialized care. Their long history shows a commitment to the local area. They work to provide steady support for everyone involved in the care process.
About Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc.
Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc. is a non-profit organization. They have held Medicare certification since June 1992. Being a non-profit group often means they put extra resources back into their patient services. They employ 375 people to help manage care. This includes 93 registered nurses and 5 licensed practical nurses who provide direct medical support. They also have 8 physicians on staff to oversee medical plans. A team of 41 volunteers helps offer additional comfort to patients and their families. This mix of staff ensures that medical and emotional needs get addressed. Families should know that this provider has a long track record in the region. They have built a large system to assist with complex health situations. You can ask them how their specific team will support your loved one at home.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Hazard?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team at Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc. includes many nurses and doctors. They visit patients to manage pain and other symptoms. This helps families spend time together without the stress of constant medical trips. The care plan changes based on what the patient needs each day. Social workers and volunteers also join the medical staff to offer a full circle of support. They listen to the goals of the patient. Then they build a plan to reach those goals. Hospice care is not just about medicine. It is about living the final months with dignity. The team handles the heavy tasks so you can focus on being a family member again. They provide peace of mind in a difficult time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the team you select. Start by asking how many nurses will visit your home each week. Ask how the team handles emergencies during the night or on weekends. You should also ask how they help family caregivers manage the stress of daily care. Find out if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one for a few hours. Ask how they communicate changes in health to the family. It is also good to ask how they handle medications and supplies. Clear answers will help you feel more prepared. Do not be afraid to ask for details about their specific care process. You deserve to know how they will support your unique situation.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We provide a simple way to record their life stories and wisdom for future generations to cherish.
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