COMMUNITY HEALTH & COUNSELING SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 42 CEDAR STREET
BANGOR, ME 04401 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 17, 1997
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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) | 21 |
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 HEALTH & COUNSELING SERVICES 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMMUNITY HEALTH & COUNSELING SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
14.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 70th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
30
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 day14.3 min
Ranks better than about 70% 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 weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 life92.6%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 visits57.6%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months23.8%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice11.9%
Ranks better than about 1% 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)67th 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$11,638 · 17th 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 63.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment96%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life63.1%
- All care steps completed88.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer42%
- Dementia6%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Bangor
Community Health & Counseling Services provides hospice care for residents in Bangor, Maine. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Their team serves the Penobscot County area from their office on Cedar Street. Getting the right support during this time is vital for families. This provider works to ensure that every patient feels heard and respected. Their goal is to manage pain while supporting the emotional needs of those they serve. Choosing a local team means your loved one gets care from people who know the community well. That matters when you need a quick response or a friendly face. They have been helping families in this region for many years. It is a big step to seek hospice, but you do not have to walk this path alone.
About Community Health & Counseling Services
This provider has been Medicare-certified since July 1997. That is over 25 years of experience in the hospice field. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure, which is common for many community-based health organizations. What does this mean for your family? It means they have a long track record of meeting federal standards. They must follow strict rules to keep their certification active. The thing is, not all providers have this much history. When you look for a partner in care, longevity shows they know how to handle tough situations. They are located right at 42 Cedar Street in Bangor. You can reach their office directly at (207) 947-0366 if you have questions. They are ready to explain their specific services and how they might fit your current situation. It is always wise to call and talk through your needs with a staff member.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Bangor
Hospice is a special type of care. It is not about giving up. Instead, it is about making the most of the time you have left. In Bangor, families can pick from a few different providers to find the right match. Most hospice care happens right where the patient lives. That could be a private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The team visits regularly to check on pain and other symptoms. They also help with equipment and supplies. But they do more than just medical tasks. They offer emotional support to the whole family. And that is a big deal when things feel heavy. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns. Take your time to learn what options exist in the Penobscot County area. Finding the right fit brings peace of mind to everyone involved in the care process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when picking a hospice team. Here are a few questions that can help you get clear answers. First, ask how quickly they can respond to a call in the middle of the night. You want to know they will be there when you need them most. Second, ask what their team looks like. Do they have nurses, social workers, and chaplains? Most good programs have all three. Third, ask how they handle pain management and comfort. You want to know they have a plan for bad days. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. Some teams have extra training for certain conditions. Don't be afraid to ask these questions during a visit. A good provider will be happy to answer them clearly. They want you to feel confident in your choice.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is difficult, but it is also a chance to hold onto the memories that matter most. Start saving your family stories today so they can be shared for generations to come.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
BRISTOL HOSPICE - BANGOR LLC
ST. JOSEPH HOSPICE
BEACON HOSPICE, AN AMEDISYS COMPANY
MAINEHEALTH HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
COMPASSUS - GREATER MAINE
GENTIVA
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