HospiceScout

COMPASSUS - GREATER BOSTON

For-ProfitACHC AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
241-243 KING STREET, SUITES #237 & #239
NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
March 1, 2006

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for COMPASSUS - GREATER BOSTON
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)3
Physicians0
Volunteers0

9

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 - GREATER BOSTON 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 COMPASSUS - GREATER BOSTON compares to hospices nationwide.

10.4 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 29th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

46

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 day10.4 min

    Ranks better than about 29% 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 weekends9.6%

    Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits53%

    Ranks better than about 50% 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 care11.9%

    Ranks better than about 17% 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 months35.6%

    Ranks better than about 53% 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 care16.9%

    Ranks better than about 12% 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 hospice6.8%

    Ranks better than about 5% 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$16,193 · 40th 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 74.3% 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 life74.3%
  • 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.

  • Cancer22%
  • Dementia13%
  • Heart and circulatory disease16%
  • Lung and respiratory disease7%
  • Stroke23%
  • Other conditions20%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Compassus - Greater Boston in Northampton

Compassus - Greater Boston provides hospice care for families in Northampton, Massachusetts. They work from their office on King Street to bring comfort to those in Hampshire County. Their team focuses on helping patients live with dignity and peace. Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about supporting the whole person and their loved ones during a hard time. Compassus offers a range of services designed to manage pain and provide emotional support. Their staff serves the local community with a focus on compassionate, end-of-life care. Choosing the right partner for this journey is a big step for any family. That is why having local options like this one matters so much. They aim to make each day meaningful for the people they serve.

About Compassus - Greater Boston

Compassus - Greater Boston is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare since March 2006. That is nearly two decades of experience in the field. What most people do not realize is that Medicare certification means they must meet strict federal rules. These rules cover everything from safety to the quality of care they give. Families should know that this provider has a long history of serving the region. Being a for-profit agency means they operate under specific business standards. But the core of their work remains the same as any other hospice. They focus on comfort, symptom control, and support for the family unit. You can feel confident knowing they have been part of the system for a long time. It shows they have a stable team ready to help you and your family navigate these difficult days.

Quality of Care Insight

Compassus - Greater Boston holds an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars from Medicare. They also earned 4 out of 5 stars for their quality of care based on the Hospice Care Index. While their patient satisfaction score is 3 out of 5 stars, the high marks for clinical quality show they are strong in medical care and symptom management.

Understanding Hospice Care in Northampton

Living in Hampshire County means you have access to several hospice choices. Hospice care is not a place you go to. It is a service that comes to where you live. This could be your own home, an assisted living center, or a nursing home. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and pain-free. Nurses, social workers, and aides visit regularly to assist with daily needs. They also provide spiritual and emotional support for the entire family. It is a team effort. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. They think hospice is only for the very last days of life. That is not true. Hospice can provide support for months, helping to improve the quality of life for everyone involved. Reach out early to learn how they can make a difference in your home today.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You have a right to ask hard questions when picking a hospice team. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to a crisis at night or on the weekend. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Ask how they handle pain and other symptoms. You want a team that acts fast to keep your loved one comfortable. It is also smart to ask about their volunteers. Volunteers can offer extra companionship and help with light chores around the house. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one's needs change. Can they provide more intensive care if things get difficult? A good provider will be open and honest with you. They should make you feel heard and respected. Do not feel rushed during your talk with them. You are making a very important choice for your family.

Preserve Your Family Stories

During this time, the memories and stories of your loved ones are more precious than ever. We can help you capture these moments to keep them safe for generations to come.

Start Preserving Memories

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Helpful Guides for Families

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.