HARBOR HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1050 WEST WESTERN AVENUE, SUITE 400
MUSKEGON, MI 49441 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 29, 1985
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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) | 33 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
90
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 HARBOR 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 2006.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HARBOR HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
134
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 day14.9 min
Ranks better than about 75% 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 weekends11.7%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 life82.2%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 visits61.1%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care14.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 months23.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice1.7%
Ranks better than about 41% 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)88th 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$9,274 · 8th 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 52.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening93.8%
- Pain assessment98.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life52.2%
- All care steps completed90.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Muskegon
Harbor Hospice provides essential end-of-life care for residents in Muskegon, Michigan. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and support for the whole family during a difficult journey. You can find their main office at 1050 West Western Avenue, Suite 400. That is right in the heart of the community. They have served the area for a long time, helping neighbors find peace when it matters most. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision, and it helps to know you have local experts nearby. Their team works hard to make sure patients feel safe and cared for in their own homes or at a facility. It is about making every day count. That is the core of their mission.
About Harbor Hospice
Harbor Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This means their main goal is serving people rather than making a profit for owners. They have been Medicare certified since March 29, 1985. That is nearly four decades of service to the Muskegon area. Being a non-profit often shapes how they care for families. They tend to reinvest resources back into their programs to improve the experience for their patients. When you look at their history, it shows a deep commitment to the region. Families should know that they have met federal standards for a long time. It provides a level of trust that matters when you are choosing a partner for end-of-life care. They are a staple of the local healthcare system, and their longevity speaks volumes about their stability and dedication to the local community.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Muskegon
Hospice is not just about medical care. It is about living as fully as possible. In Muskegon, families have access to a network of providers who specialize in pain management and emotional support. The thing is, many people wait too long to start these services. You do not have to be in your final days to benefit from what hospice offers. A good hospice team acts as a bridge. They connect you with nurses, social workers, and volunteers who can help manage symptoms and offer a listening ear. And they help the family understand what to expect. That support can change everything. It turns a stressful time into a period of shared moments and comfort. Knowing you have a team behind you in Muskegon makes a world of difference for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice team is a personal choice. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home in an emergency?
- What support do you offer to family members after a loss?
- Can you tell me about your specific experience with my loved one's condition?
- How do you handle pain management and comfort needs at night?
Do not be afraid to get specific answers. You are the advocate for your loved one. If a provider seems hesitant or vague, keep looking. You want someone who speaks clearly and listens to your concerns. The best partners are the ones who make you feel heard and respected from the very first phone call. Trust your gut feeling.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one's life is full of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture those precious memories to share with future generations.
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