GENTIVA
Provider Information
- Address
- 238 STATE ST, STE 16
BREWER, ME 04412 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 23, 2019
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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) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
6
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 GENTIVA 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 GENTIVA compares to hospices nationwide.
13 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
151
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 day13 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends10.1%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 life97.8%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 visits30.5%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care3.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care8.2%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 hospice3.8%
Ranks better than about 18% 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$16,752 · 43rd 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 83.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.6%
- Pain assessment98.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life83.3%
- All care steps completed96.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease36%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Brewer
Gentiva serves patients and families in Brewer, Maine, from its office on State Street. This provider offers hospice services to those in Penobscot County. They are a freestanding hospice that has been certified by Medicare since late 2019. The team holds accreditation from CHAP, which is a national group that checks for high standards in health services. Accreditation matters because it shows that an outside group has looked closely at how the hospice operates. This helps families know the provider meets specific rules for safety and care quality. Getting the right support in your own home is often the main goal for families in this area. This team works to provide that help while following national standards for end of life care. They are ready to assist you in your home or wherever you reside.
About Gentiva
Gentiva operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being for-profit means the organization is structured as a business entity rather than a non-profit group. Families should know that Medicare holds all certified hospices to the same rules regardless of their tax status. This provider has been part of the Medicare program for over four years. Their CHAP accreditation is a sign that they choose to go through extra reviews to prove they meet high benchmarks. Many families look for this mark of quality when they make a choice. The thing is, accreditation is a voluntary process for most agencies. It shows a commitment to keeping care consistent and safe. You can feel better knowing they meet these requirements. Always ask how the team will communicate with your family doctor during your care. That keeps everyone on the same page.
Quality and Care Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Brewer?
Hospice care in Maine focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. In Brewer, this care happens wherever the patient calls home. The team at this location includes three registered nurses who lead the clinical side of your care. These nurses visit to manage pain and help with daily comfort needs. They work alongside a small team of six total employees to ensure each patient receives attention. You may wonder about volunteer support, but this specific location currently does not have volunteers on staff. That is a fact to keep in mind if you were hoping for extra companionship services. The focus here remains on medical care and symptom control. They provide the support you need to stay in your own bed. It is a simple model designed to keep you comfortable at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big step for your family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can come to your home if an emergency happens at night. It is also good to ask how they handle pain medication delivery. You should know who to call if you have questions on a weekend. Ask them how they will update your primary doctor on your health status. These simple questions help you understand how they work every day. You want a team that talks to you in a way you understand. If the answers make sense to you, that is a good sign. Take your time to get the facts before you decide.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your family history is a treasure. Use our simple tools to record memories and preserve your unique stories for the generations to come.
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