CONSTELLATION HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 38R MERRIMAC STREET, SUITE 201
NEWBURYPORT, MA 01950 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 5, 2015
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 8 |
17
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 CONSTELLATION HOSPICE 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CONSTELLATION HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 11th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
48
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 day8.4 min
Ranks better than about 11% 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 weekends6.5%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 life81.3%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 visits75.9%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 care1.4%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 months46.4%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 care7.2%
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 hospice4.3%
Ranks better than about 14% 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$21,240 · 67th 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 59.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment96.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed95.1%
- Beliefs and values discussed90.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life59.9%
- All care steps completed88.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer10%
- Dementia58%
- Heart and circulatory disease9%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Constellation Hospice
Constellation Hospice serves families in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This provider offers end-of-life care services out of their office on Merrimac Street. They have been certified by Medicare since 2015. Their team holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks that hospice agencies meet high standards for safety and quality. Families choose this provider for their proven track record in the local area. It is a for-profit organization focused on providing care to those with life-limiting illnesses. They work closely with local doctors and hospitals to ensure a smooth transition into their program. Having this accreditation means they go through regular reviews to keep their status active. You can find them right in the heart of Essex County. That makes them a local option for many residents. Their consistent history helps families feel confident when they need support the most.
Provider Background
Constellation Hospice operates as a for-profit agency. They have maintained a Medicare certification for nearly a decade. Their recent accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care shows a clear commitment to national quality standards. This organization sends experts to review clinical processes and patient outcomes. They look at how the agency manages pain and talks with families. This process is voluntary but shows a high level of accountability. The agency employs 17 people who work together to support patients. This group includes seven registered nurses and one physician. They also coordinate with eight volunteers who provide extra companionship. Having a physician on the team allows for clear medical guidance during care. Families should know that this mix of staff is designed to cover both physical needs and emotional support. They aim to keep patients comfortable in their own homes or care facilities. Their structure helps them manage daily care needs with professional oversight.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Newburyport?
Hospice care in Newburyport focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It happens wherever the patient lives. This could be a private home or a nursing facility. The team visits to manage symptoms like pain or shortness of breath. They also provide emotional support for the entire family. Constellation Hospice uses a team approach to reach these goals. Their staff of 17 professionals works to keep care coordinated. Seven registered nurses lead the clinical side of the work. One physician directs the medical plan for each patient. Eight volunteers offer time to sit with patients or help with small tasks. This team structure is common for agencies in Massachusetts. It allows for quick responses when a patient has a new symptom. You get a group of people dedicated to improving quality of life every day. That is the main goal of their local service.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice agency is a big step for your family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home after a call. You need to know if they have staff available at night or on weekends. Second, ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms. It is good to know their specific plan for comfort. Third, ask how many patients each nurse sees in a day. A smaller caseload often means more time for your loved one. Finally, ask how they support family members with grief. Some agencies offer counseling services or support groups after the loss. These questions help you see if their values match what your family needs. Write down the answers so you can compare them later. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if an answer is unclear.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We provide a simple way to record and save these stories for future generations.
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