HOSPICE OF GARRETT COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 203 SOUTH 2ND STREET
OAKLAND, MD 21550 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 26, 1995
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
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 HOSPICE OF GARRETT COUNTY 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 GARRETT COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
24.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 98th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
21
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 day24.6 min
Ranks better than about 98% 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 weekends2%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 visits13.3%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 months50%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 hospice4.5%
Ranks better than about 13% 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)52nd 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$8,947 · 7th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 72.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life72.8%
- All care steps completed99.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Other conditions19%
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 Oakland
Hospice of Garrett County provides end-of-life care for residents in Oakland, Maryland. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a terminal illness. Families in the Garrett County area turn to them for specialized medical support and emotional guidance during difficult times. They offer a range of services designed to help patients stay at home whenever possible. This care team works to manage physical pain while also supporting the mental health of both the patient and their loved ones. Getting the right care at the right time makes a world of difference. It allows families to focus on spending meaningful time together. Their office is located at 203 South 2nd Street, where they coordinate care plans tailored to individual needs. Having a local team means they understand the specific resources and community needs of the Oakland area well.
About Hospice of Garrett County
Hospice of Garrett County is an 'other' ownership type, which often implies a community-focused or non-profit structure. They have been Medicare certified since October 26, 1995. That is nearly 30 years of history serving the local community. What most people do not realize is that long-term certification often points to a stable team with deep roots in the area. When you choose a provider with this much experience, you are choosing a team that has learned how to handle complex situations with grace. They are not just a business; they are a long-standing neighbor. Families should know that this provider has met strict federal standards for many years. This gives you a baseline of reliability. The thing is, choosing a hospice is a deeply personal decision. Knowing they have been around for decades provides a level of peace of mind that is hard to replace. They have stood the test of time.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Oakland
Hospice care in rural areas like Garrett County is about bringing expert support to your doorstep. You do not have to travel to a big hospital to get high-quality care. The team comes to your home, whether that is a private house or a long-term care facility. And that is the true benefit of hospice. It is designed to surround the patient with a circle of support. This includes nurses, aides, and social workers who visit on a regular schedule. They coordinate with your primary doctor to ensure everyone is on the same page. The goal is always to keep the patient comfortable and pain-free. If a crisis happens, they have staff on call to help day or night. It is a safety net for your family. You are never left to figure this out alone. Having that extra set of hands makes the journey much easier to handle.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking questions until you get clear answers. Start by asking how quickly they can get someone to your home if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms. It is also wise to ask how they support the family members who are acting as caregivers. Do they provide volunteers to sit with the patient? How do they handle transitions if the patient needs a higher level of care? These questions help you understand their daily approach. The thing is, you want a team that listens to your concerns. If they seem rushed or use too much medical jargon, keep looking. You deserve a partner who explains things in plain English. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to their intake coordinator. It is usually right.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. Capturing these stories now creates a lasting legacy for future generations to cherish and learn from.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.