HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC DBA BLUEGRASS CARE N
Provider Information
- Address
- 1733 HARRODSBURG RD
LEXINGTON, KY 40504 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 7, 1983
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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) | 109 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 12 |
| Physicians | 12 |
| Volunteers | 256 |
429
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 DBA BLUEGRASS CARE N 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 DBA BLUEGRASS CARE N compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
538
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 life94.5%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 visits77.7%
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 care7%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 months36.6%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 care3.4%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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)95th 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$9,888 · 10th 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 58.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment94.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.5%
- Visits in the last days of life58.4%
- All care steps completed94.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Lexington
Bluegrass Care Navigators, based at 1733 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, Kentucky, offers essential hospice services to families in Fayette County. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses. The team provides care wherever a patient calls home. This could be a private house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The goal is always to keep the patient safe and comfortable. They manage pain and symptoms while offering emotional support to the entire family. It is a local team dedicated to serving their neighbors during difficult times. Choosing the right support is a big decision for any family. Having a local provider like this can make a real difference in your daily experience. They bring medical expertise directly to your doorstep in Lexington.
About Bluegrass Care Navigators
This provider has been Medicare-certified since November 7, 1983. That is over forty years of service to the community. Long-standing experience often shows a deep commitment to high standards of care. They operate as an 'Other' ownership type, which is common for many established hospice programs. When you look at their history, you see a long track record of helping families. That is a big deal when you need reliable support. Families should know that Medicare certification means they must follow strict federal rules for safety and quality. Bluegrass Care Navigators has met these standards for decades. They combine this history with current best practices to serve the Lexington area. It is helpful to know they have been a part of the local healthcare landscape for such a long time. You want a partner who knows how to handle complex medical needs with grace.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Lexington
Hospice is not just about the end of life. It is really about the quality of the time you have left. In Lexington, many families find that hospice care helps them focus on being together instead of worrying about medical tasks. The team handles the heavy lifting of symptom management. This includes dealing with pain, anxiety, and other physical struggles. But they do more than just medical work. They offer social workers, chaplains, and volunteers to help with the emotional side of things. Most people do not realize that hospice can start earlier than they think. You do not have to wait until the very last days to ask for help. Getting support sooner often leads to better comfort for the patient. And it gives the family more time to build a support network. It is about making every single day count for your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions when you interview a hospice team. First, ask how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You want to know they are truly available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific doctor who leads the team. You need a clear plan for keeping your loved one comfortable. Third, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the hospice mission. Finally, ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Some teams have extra training for certain conditions like heart disease or dementia. Do not be afraid to speak up. This is your family, and you deserve to know exactly how they will be cared for. Good communication starts with a simple conversation.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. We offer a simple way to record their voice and stories so your family can treasure them for years to come.
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