HOSPICE OF MECOSTA COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 400 PERRY STREET
BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 8, 1993
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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) | 6 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
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 HOSPICE OF MECOSTA COUNTY 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF MECOSTA COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
13.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 65th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
318
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 day13.7 min
Ranks better than about 65% 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 weekends8.4%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits68%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 care5.8%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 months46.1%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care5.5%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 hospice0.9%
Ranks better than about 52% 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$15,735 · 38th 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 72.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment98.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life72.8%
- All care steps completed98.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke24%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Mecosta County
Hospice of Mecosta County serves families in Big Rapids, Michigan. This provider offers end of life care for those in need of comfort. They are a freestanding hospice program. The agency earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status shows they meet specific standards for patient care and safety. They have served the community since 1993. Choosing the right support is a big step for your family.
About Hospice of Mecosta County
This group operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status means they put extra earnings back into their services. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow strict rules. They check for safety and quality of care. Families can feel better knowing an outside group looked at their work. The agency has been Medicare certified for many years. That is a long history of serving local patients. It helps to know they have been around for a long time. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific experience with your loved one's health needs.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Big Rapids?
Hospice care in Big Rapids focuses on comfort and relief. The team works to manage pain and help families find peace. This specific agency employs 17 people. Their clinical staff includes 6 registered nurses to manage care needs. They also have 1 volunteer who assists with daily tasks. The team does not have a physician on staff. They likely work with your own doctor to manage medical plans. Having a team of nurses helps ensure someone is watching over the health of your loved one. This kind of care happens where you live. It allows for a familiar space during a hard time. You can talk to them about how they coordinate with local hospitals if an emergency occurs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice provider is a major choice. You want to feel sure about your decision. Start by asking how quickly they can visit your home after a referral. Ask about how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. It is also good to ask how they support family members with grief. You might ask how they handle changes in the health of your loved one. Ask about the specific role of their nurses. Find out if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one has. You deserve clear answers to all these questions. Take your time to get the information you need before you decide.
Keep Your Family History Alive
Find simple ways to record stories and memories that matter most to your family.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.