ASCEND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 352 BELMONT STREET
WORCESTER, MA 01604 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 18, 2005
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
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 ASCEND 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
- 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 2005.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ASCEND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 70th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
172
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 day14.3 min
Ranks better than about 70% 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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life89.3%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 visits55.1%
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 care11.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 months40.4%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care11.4%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 hospice2.6%
Ranks better than about 30% 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$24,576 · 80th 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 71.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98%
- Visits in the last days of life71.9%
- All care steps completed97.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia43%
- Heart and circulatory disease6%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke26%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ascend Hospice
Ascend Hospice provides care for families in Worcester, Massachusetts. They have served the community since 2005 as a Medicare certified provider. This team holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. That is a big deal for families. It means an outside group checked their work to make sure they follow high standards. Choosing a local team helps keep care close to home. You want a provider that knows the area and meets your needs. This team works from their office on Belmont Street to support local patients. They focus on comfort and dignity during a hard time. That is the main goal of their hospice program.
Understanding Their Services
Ascend Hospice operates as a for-profit hospice. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly two decades. The ACHC accreditation shows they meet strict rules for quality and safety. This group looks at how the agency manages care and keeps records. It gives you peace of mind. The team includes one physician and three registered nurses. These staff members work together to manage pain and support families. They handle the medical details so you can focus on time with your loved one. Most people do not know what to look for in a provider. That is why these ratings matter so much. They help you compare options based on real performance data from the government.
Quality Insights
Hospice Care in Worcester
Finding the right care in Worcester can feel like a heavy task. You need a team that acts fast when symptoms change. This provider has a small staff of nine people. Small teams often build closer bonds with the families they serve. The thing is, you want a group that feels like a partner. They must be ready to answer your calls at any hour of the day or night. Hospice is not just about medicine. It is about helping your family feel heard and supported. When you talk to them, ask how they handle weekend visits. Ask how they keep you informed about changes. You deserve to know who is coming to your home. Good communication makes a world of difference for everyone involved in the care plan.
Questions to Ask
You should feel confident before you sign any papers. Take your time with these questions. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens. Second, find out how they help with emotional support for your family members. Third, ask how they coordinate with your primary doctor. And finally, ask what happens if your needs change over time. Do not be afraid to ask for clear answers. You are the expert on your loved one. A good hospice team will listen to your concerns with care. They should explain things in words that make sense. If they seem rushed or use too many big words, that might be a red flag. Trust your gut feelings when you meet the team.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is hard, but your family history is a gift. We can help you save memories and stories to share with future generations.
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