HOSPICE SERVICES OF WESTERN & CENTRAL MASS
Provider Information
- Address
- 967 SPRINGFIELD STREET
FEEDING HILLS, MA 01030 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 7, 2007
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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 August 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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 14 |
14
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 SERVICES OF WESTERN & CENTRAL MASS 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE SERVICES OF WESTERN & CENTRAL MASS compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends6.8%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 visits40.6%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care14.8%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 months38.9%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care1.9%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 hospice11.1%
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)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$14,347 · 30th 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 74% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life74%
- All care steps completed98.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer12%
- Dementia36%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Stroke18%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Services of Western & Central Mass
Hospice Services of Western & Central Mass provides end of life care for patients in the Feeding Hills area. This hospice operates as a for-profit provider and has held Medicare certification since 2007. They serve families across Hampden County from their office on Springfield Street. Choosing the right care team is a big decision for any family. This provider works to support patients through their final months with a focus on symptom management and comfort. Their team consists of various healthcare professionals dedicated to their local mission. You can reach their office directly at 413-786-4004 to learn about their service area and current availability. It is a good idea to call them to see if they are the right fit for your needs.
About Hospice Services of Western & Central Mass
This organization is a freestanding hospice that has been certified by Medicare for over 15 years. Being a for-profit entity, they maintain a specific structure for their operations and staff. Their team includes 14 employees, which features 5 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. They also have 1 physician on staff and 14 volunteers who help support the care team. This balance of staff and volunteers is common for many local hospices. Medicare certification means they follow federal rules for how they treat patients and manage medical records. These rules exist to make sure families receive a consistent level of care. You should check if their specific nursing ratios meet the needs of your loved one. Ask about how their volunteers spend time with patients. It helps to have a clear picture of who will be visiting your home.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Feeding Hills?
Hospice care in Feeding Hills centers on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team works to manage pain and address physical symptoms so the patient can focus on time with family. At this provider, the staff includes a mix of nurses and a doctor to oversee medical needs. Volunteers are also part of the team to offer extra support and companionship. This group is tasked with creating a plan that follows the wishes of the patient and their family. The goal is to improve quality of life when a cure is no longer the main focus. You can expect regular visits from the nursing staff to monitor changes in condition. They coordinate with your primary doctor to ensure everyone stays on the same page. This approach helps reduce the stress of managing illness at home. It is all about comfort.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a personal choice that requires careful thought. You should ask questions that help you understand how they handle daily care. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific process for after-hours calls. It is also good to ask how their volunteers are trained and what tasks they perform. Ask about their experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. You want to know if they have the right skills to help. Do not feel rushed to pick the first one you find. Take your time to interview them and see if they listen to your concerns. The right team will be open and honest with you about their services.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom to share. Recording these stories now creates a beautiful gift for your family to cherish for generations to come.
Start RecordingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
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What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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Some stories are worth writing down
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