COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS
Provider Information
- Address
- 790 TURNPIKE STREET, SUITE 202
NORTH ANDOVER, MA 01845 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 16, 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) | 20 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 22 |
58
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 COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS compares to hospices nationwide.
9.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 16th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
133
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 day9.1 min
Ranks better than about 16% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life92.7%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 visits54.5%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 care5.9%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 months52.1%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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$17,512 · 48th 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 71.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.4%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia47%
- Heart and circulatory disease2%
- Lung and respiratory disease4%
- Stroke27%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassus - Southern Massachusetts
Compassus - Southern Massachusetts provides hospice care services in North Andover. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 2002. They hold an accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group works to support patients and their families in Essex County. They focus on delivering care that meets federal standards for hospice programs.
About COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS
This organization operates as a for-profit, freestanding hospice provider. They have been active in the Medicare program for over two decades. Their team includes 58 employees. This staff features 20 registered nurses and one physician. They also maintain a group of 22 volunteers to assist with patient needs. The accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care means an outside group checked their work against national standards. This process helps ensure that the agency follows specific rules for safety and clinical care. Families should know that this accreditation is a voluntary step taken by the provider to show they meet high marks. It helps them stay accountable to the people they serve every day. That is a clear sign of their commitment to the standards set for hospice programs across the country.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in NORTH ANDOVER?
Hospice care in this part of Massachusetts offers support for people facing serious health changes. The team works to manage pain and improve comfort for each person. You will find that the staff includes 20 registered nurses who visit patients. They also use a network of 22 volunteers to provide extra companionship. The goal is to keep the patient in their own home or a familiar setting whenever possible. This provider operates out of an office on Turnpike Street. They serve families throughout the local area by providing medical care and emotional support. A single physician leads the medical side of their operations. This setup ensures that care is organized and based on the medical needs of the patient. The team aims to offer consistent help during a difficult time for local families.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to get the right information. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an urgent need comes up at night. Ask how the team handles pain management and symptom control for the specific condition your loved one has. You might also ask how often the staff will visit the home during a typical week. Find out which volunteers are available to help with errands or just sitting with the patient. It is helpful to know who to call if you have questions after business hours. You should also ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. Getting clear answers helps you understand what to expect from the daily routine of hospice care.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be kept safe for those who come after you.
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