ST. JOSEPH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 900 BROADWAY BUILDING 4
BANGOR, ME 04401 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 29, 1991
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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) | 12 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
17
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 ST. JOSEPH HOSPICE 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
- 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST. JOSEPH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.2 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.
31
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 day14.2 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 weekends9.5%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits40.1%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 care13.8%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 months17.2%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 hospice6.9%
Ranks better than about 5% 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$12,821 · 22nd 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 80.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life80.4%
- All care steps completed94.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Joseph Hospice in Bangor
St. Joseph Hospice serves the Bangor region from their office on Broadway. This provider has been certified to offer hospice care through Medicare since 1991. They work to support families facing end of life medical needs. The team focuses on providing care within the patient's home environment. Their long history of certification shows a commitment to meeting federal safety and care standards over many decades.
About St. Joseph Hospice
St. Joseph Hospice operates under an other ownership structure. The agency maintains a staff of 17 people. This group includes 12 registered nurses, one physician, and one volunteer. Having a strong nursing presence is a key part of how they manage symptoms for their patients. Medicare certification means they must pass regular reviews to keep their status active. These reviews check that the agency follows strict rules for patient safety. Families should know that these federal standards form the baseline for the care they receive. The agency has maintained a solid reputation for quality of care and patient satisfaction. They work to ensure that every patient gets the time and attention they need from the medical team.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Bangor?
Hospice care in Bangor provides medical and emotional support for families. The goal is to manage pain and improve quality of life. At St. Joseph Hospice, the clinical team includes 12 registered nurses and one physician. They visit patients where they live. This keeps people in a familiar space with their personal belongings. Volunteers also help by providing extra companionship. The team handles equipment, medications, and symptom control on a daily basis. They coordinate with local doctors to keep care plans up to date. Most care happens in the home, but they can offer support in other settings if needs change. Having a local team makes it easier to get help quickly when problems arise.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a serious decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can arrive at the home if a symptom occurs suddenly. Second, ask how the team coordinates with your current primary doctor. Third, find out what specific support they offer to family caregivers who are tired. Finally, ask how they handle changes in medication or medical equipment. You deserve clear answers about how they will handle your loved one's care. Do not be afraid to ask for details about their daily routine. Good providers will welcome these questions and take the time to explain their process clearly.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. Recording their memories and life stories can provide comfort to your whole family for years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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