PIONEER VALLEY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 101 MUNSON STREET, SUITE 103
GREENFIELD, MA 01301 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 9, 2005
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
18
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 PIONEER VALLEY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PIONEER VALLEY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE 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.
42
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 weekends16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits60.2%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care2.9%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$14,058 · 28th 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 70% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening88.5%
- Pain assessment75%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.5%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life70%
- All care steps completed72.5%
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%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke20%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Greenfield
Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care serves families in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and the surrounding Franklin County area. They offer specialized end-of-life care that focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Whether a patient is at home or in a facility, this team provides medical, emotional, and spiritual support. It is a local resource dedicated to helping patients stay comfortable during their final months. What makes them stand out is their deep connection to the local community. They understand the specific needs of families in this part of the state. Having a local partner can make a world of difference when you are managing a loved one's health journey. This team is there to walk beside you, providing the care and guidance needed during a very sensitive time. They prioritize the person, not just the illness, which helps families find peace when they need it most.
About PIONEER VALLEY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
This organization operates as a non-profit provider. This is a big deal because it means their focus remains on patient care rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since March 9, 2005. That is nearly two decades of experience serving the local community. Being certified means they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. Families should know that they provide both hospice and palliative services. Palliative care helps manage symptoms, while hospice focuses on comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. The thing is, choosing the right provider can feel overwhelming. You want a team with a long track record and a clear heart for the work. Pioneer Valley has built that foundation over many years. They are located at 101 Munson Street, Suite 103, in Greenfield. If you have questions about their specific programs, their team is ready to talk through your options.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in GREENFIELD
Finding the right care in Franklin County means looking for a provider that knows the local area well. Hospice care is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on comfort and quality of time. Many people think you need to be in a hospital, but most hospice care actually happens right at home. This allows patients to stay in a familiar space surrounded by loved ones. The team in Greenfield will work with your primary doctor to create a plan that fits your family's needs. They manage pain, help with daily tasks, and offer emotional support to everyone involved. That is the true goal of hospice. It is a partnership where experts come to you. You do not have to handle the heavy lifting alone. Having a team that knows the local resources and community can make the whole process feel much smoother and more manageable for you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider is a personal choice that requires clear information. Start by asking how quickly they can respond if a crisis happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know that support is available 24/7. Ask what their policy is for managing pain and other difficult symptoms. It is also smart to ask how their staff will communicate with your family. Will you have one main nurse, or will it change often? Continuity of care really matters. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer for family members after a loss. Grief support is a key part of their job, not just an extra. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. If you do not feel a good connection during the first meeting, it is okay to keep looking. Trust your gut. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns and answers clearly.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories worth keeping. Capture their voice, wisdom, and stories now to create a lasting treasure for generations to come.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
COMPASSUS - GREATER WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
GENTIVA
OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
METROWEST HOMECARE AND HOSPICE, AN AMEDISYS COMPAN
CARE CENTRAL VNA & HOSPICE
VNA & HOSPICE OF GREATER MILFORD
Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
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.