VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CAPE COD HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 25 COMMUNICATION WAY
HYANNIS, MA 02601 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 5, 2002
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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) | 39 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 8 |
| Volunteers | 33 |
118
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 VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CAPE COD HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CAPE COD HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
21.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
136
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 day21.1 min
Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends14.3%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 life95.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 visits48.9%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care11.2%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months25.6%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care1.6%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 hospice5.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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)95th 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$13,483 · 25th 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 72.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life72.9%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer42%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions12%
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 Hyannis
Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Hospice provides specialized end of life care for residents in Hyannis, Massachusetts. This organization holds accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet strict national standards for safety and performance. They offer support to patients and families throughout Barnstable County. Their team helps manage symptoms and provides comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. It is a local resource focused on clinical care for those facing terminal illness. They have served the community since 2002.
About VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CAPE COD HOSPICE
As a non-profit agency, this provider reinvests its resources directly back into patient care services. They earned their Medicare certification in 2002, marking over two decades of local operations. Accreditation from the Joint Commission serves as a seal of approval. This body reviews the agency to ensure they follow best practices for quality and patient safety. Families should know that this oversight is voluntary and shows a commitment to high standards. They employ 118 staff members, including 39 registered nurses and 8 licensed practical nurses. This large team allows them to offer consistent attention to each patient. They also utilize 33 volunteers who offer extra companionship. Choosing a certified provider helps ensure the care team follows federal rules for hospice services. It is a practical way to gauge the level of professionalism you can expect for your loved one.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in HYANNIS?
Hospice care in this part of Massachusetts focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits you where you live. They handle pain, stress, and other symptoms to improve your daily quality of life. The staff includes registered nurses who manage medical needs and licensed practical nurses who assist with daily tasks. Volunteers often visit to provide social support or help with errands. You get a plan tailored to your specific situation. This care is about dignity and comfort. The team works together to ensure your family feels supported throughout the process. They make sure you understand every step of the care plan. That is how they maintain such high standards for the community. You can reach their office at 508-957-7710 to ask about their specific services for your area.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices when selecting a hospice team. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask about the specific volunteers available to help with respite care for family members. You should also ask how often the team will visit to check on the patient. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs care in a hospital setting later. These questions help you understand how the agency handles the daily needs of their patients. A good provider will answer these clearly and without rushing you. Take your time to get the answers you need for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be kept safe for future generations to enjoy.
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