TUFTS MEDICINE CARE AT HOME
Provider Information
- Address
- 847 ROGERS STREET, SUITE 201
LOWELL, MA 01852 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 25, 1985
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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) | 60 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 10 |
113
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 TUFTS MEDICINE CARE AT HOME 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how TUFTS MEDICINE CARE AT HOME compares to hospices nationwide.
14.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 72nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
202
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 day14.5 min
Ranks better than about 72% 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 weekends13.3%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 life95.1%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 visits50.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 care12.3%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 months22.3%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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)97th 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$9,738 · 10th 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 53.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life53.6%
- All care steps completed99.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Tufts Medicine Care at Home in Lowell
Tufts Medicine Care at Home provides hospice and end-of-life support for patients in Lowell, Massachusetts. Their team works out of their office on Rogers Street to serve the surrounding Essex County community. They focus on comfort, dignity, and specialized medical care for those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a provider in your own backyard often makes a big difference for families. It means the team knows the local area well and can reach you quickly when you need them most. That local connection matters during hard times. They offer a range of services meant to keep patients comfortable at home rather than in a hospital setting. Their goal is to manage pain while supporting the emotional needs of everyone involved. It is about making the most of every day together.
About Tufts Medicine Care at Home
This agency operates as a non-profit organization. That is a vital detail for many families to consider. Non-profits often reinvest their funds directly back into patient care and community programs. They have been Medicare-certified since September 25, 1985. That is nearly four decades of experience serving the public. Longevity like that suggests a steady commitment to established care standards. The thing is, experience does not just mean they have been around for a long time. It means they have navigated countless changes in healthcare regulations and kept their doors open through it all. When you choose a long-standing non-profit, you are choosing a provider with deep roots. They have seen it all, and they have the systems in place to handle complex family needs. It provides a sense of security when you are making these heavy decisions.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Lowell
Lowell has several options for end-of-life care, but not all are the same. Hospice is not a place you go. It is a philosophy of care that comes to you. Whether you are living in a private home or a care facility, the hospice team travels to your location. In Essex County, families often look for providers that can respond to emergencies at all hours of the day. The best agencies have nurses on call 24/7 to answer your urgent questions. You should never feel like you are doing this alone. A good provider will act as a partner, helping you manage symptoms and navigate the emotional path ahead. It is important to find someone who fits your family’s specific values. Take your time to find the right match for your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Do not be afraid to ask tough questions during your first meeting. You are the customer here, and you deserve clear answers. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. That is the most common stressor for families. Next, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific philosophy on comfort. You might also want to know how they support the family after a loss. Many agencies offer bereavement counseling for months following a death. Finally, ask about their staff turnover. High turnover can mean less consistency for your loved one. You want a team that stays the same throughout the journey. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them. It usually tells you everything you need to know.
Capture Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you record these memories so they are never lost.
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