VNA CARE HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 67 MILLBROOK ST., 500 NORTH
WORCESTER, MA 01606 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 5, 1986
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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) | 61 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 6 |
| Physicians | 4 |
118
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 VNA CARE HOSPICE INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 VNA CARE HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
15.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
198
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 day15.4 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends9.7%
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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits26.4%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months24.2%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care8.7%
Ranks better than about 42% 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%
Ranks better than about 37% 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)87th 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$12,867 · 23rd 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 48.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening95.3%
- Pain assessment96.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment91.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed94.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids89.4%
- Visits in the last days of life48.4%
- All care steps completed83.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer35%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About VNA Care Hospice Inc
VNA Care Hospice Inc serves families in Worcester, Massachusetts. This provider offers end-of-life care and support services for patients. They have been Medicare certified since 1986. The agency holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group acts as an independent body that checks safety and quality standards at health centers. Accreditation shows a commitment to meeting high benchmarks for patient care. It provides a layer of oversight that goes beyond basic government rules. Families should look for this status when they compare hospice options. It often means the provider follows strict protocols to keep patients safe. This agency operates as a for-profit organization. They bring together a team to manage symptoms and support emotional needs for those in their care. Choosing a team in your own city can make coordination much easier for your loved ones.
Provider Details
VNA Care Hospice Inc maintains a long history of service in Worcester. They are a freestanding hospice provider. The team consists of 118 total employees who work to assist patients. This includes 61 registered nurses and 6 licensed practical nurses. They also employ 4 physicians to oversee medical needs. The agency has earned top marks for their quality of care. These ratings come from the CMS Hospice Care Index. It tracks how well a provider manages pain and prevents health issues. Their patient satisfaction scores show room for growth compared to their clinical marks. These surveys reflect the personal experiences of families during their time with the hospice. Data shows they have been active in the community for many decades. You can reach their office on Millbrook Street to ask about their current capacity and service areas. They are prepared to answer questions about their medical staff and daily operations.
What Is Hospice Care Like in Worcester?
Hospice care in Worcester focuses on comfort and quality of life. It is not about curing an illness. Instead, the goal is to manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. Most hospice care happens at home. This allows patients to stay in a familiar space with their loved ones nearby. Teams usually include nurses, doctors, social workers, and volunteers. They visit often to check on the patient and adjust treatment plans. They also help family caregivers learn how to provide support. You should expect regular communication from the team about any changes in condition. They provide medical equipment and medications related to the terminal diagnosis. This ensures that the home environment is safe and comfortable. The team works to honor the wishes of the patient every step of the way. You have the right to ask how they handle emergencies after normal business hours.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right care team takes time. You should ask questions to understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know if they provide 24-hour phone support or in-person visits. Second, ask how they handle pain management and symptom control. It is vital to know if they have experience with your specific diagnosis. Third, ask how they support family members who are grieving. Many agencies offer counseling or support groups for survivors. Finally, ask about their staff turnover. A stable team often provides better continuity for the patient. Write down the answers to compare providers side by side. Do not be afraid to ask for more information if a response is not clear. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one receives.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be kept safe for future generations to enjoy.
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