MUNSON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 550 MUNSON AVE
TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 25, 1986
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 39 |
22
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 MUNSON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2014.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how MUNSON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
15 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 76th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
114
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 min
Ranks better than about 76% 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 life94.9%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 visits34.3%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care23.8%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 months12.7%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care6.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$9,451 · 9th 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 screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life72.8%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Caring for You in Traverse City
Munson Hospice and Palliative Care serves families across Grand Traverse County. They offer compassionate end-of-life support right here in Traverse City. Their team focuses on comfort and quality of life for your loved one. Most people want to stay in their own homes during this time. This team makes that possible by bringing medical care and emotional support directly to your front door. It is a local choice for families who need expert care close to home. That is a big comfort when life feels overwhelming. They have helped neighbors in this community since 1986. Their mission is to provide peace and dignity during a very difficult journey. You are not alone in this process. Choosing a local team means they understand the unique needs of people living in Northern Michigan. It is about more than just medicine. It is about keeping your family together and comfortable.
About MUNSON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is important because they put patient needs before profits. They have been Medicare certified since July 25, 1986. That is nearly four decades of service to the community. You can find their main office at 550 Munson Ave in Traverse City. When you choose a non-profit, you often get a team focused on the mission of care. They are held to strict federal standards by Medicare. This ensures they meet specific benchmarks for safety and quality. The thing is, choosing a provider is a deeply personal decision. You want a team that listens to your concerns. You also want a team that responds quickly when symptoms change. Munson has built a long history of doing just that. They offer a stable hand when you need it most. Having a partner with this much experience can make a world of difference for your family.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Traverse City
Hospice is a special way of caring for people with serious illnesses. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live each day with as much joy as possible. The goal is to manage pain and keep the patient comfortable at home. Most hospice care happens in the place where the patient lives. This could be a house, an apartment, or a nursing facility. Your team usually includes a nurse, an aide, a social worker, and a chaplain. They work together to support the whole person. And they support you, too. Caregivers often face burnout, so the team offers help for the family as well. It is a team effort. You should know that you can choose your provider. You have the right to pick the team that feels like the best fit. That is the most important part of this whole process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right team takes time. Start by asking how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. You need to know that help is available 24/7. Ask how often a nurse will actually visit your home. Every provider has different schedules. You should also ask how they support family members during grief. This is a tough time, and you deserve extra care. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one needs to go to a hospital. A good provider will have a clear plan for these moments. Do not be afraid to ask tough questions. You are the advocate for your family member. A good hospice team will welcome these questions. They want you to feel confident in the care they provide. If a provider seems rushed, keep looking. You need a partner who has time for your concerns.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories to share. Preserving these memories creates a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren to cherish forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
BAYSIDE WELLNESS, LLC
THE MEDICAL TEAM
LAKE SUPERIOR HOSPICE ASSOCIATION
HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST OHIO
BLUE WATER HOSPICE
BEACON HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN LP
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.