HEARTLAND HOSPICE (WEST BRANCH)
Provider Information
- Address
- 564 PROGRESS STREET
WEST BRANCH, MI 48661 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 22, 1997
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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 August 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) | 10 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
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 HEARTLAND HOSPICE (WEST BRANCH) 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEARTLAND HOSPICE (WEST BRANCH) compares to hospices nationwide.
13 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
70
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 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends8.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits52.2%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care1.4%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 months34.3%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 care15.7%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 hospice8.6%
Ranks better than about 3% 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$16,660 · 42nd 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 67.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.1%
- All care steps completed99.7%
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%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease30%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heartland Hospice in West Branch
Heartland Hospice serves the West Branch community from their office on Progress Street. This freestanding hospice provider offers care to families across Ogemaw County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1997. The team holds accreditation from CHAP. This means an outside group checked their work to meet high standards. It is a sign of their commitment to quality care for your loved ones. They focus on providing support when families need it most.
About Heartland Hospice
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been active in the area for over two decades. Accreditation from CHAP is important because it shows they follow strict rules for safety and care. You should know that their team includes 10 registered nurses who help manage symptoms. They operate as a freestanding hospice. This means they are not part of a hospital or nursing home. They work to keep patients comfortable at home. You can ask them about their specific care plans. They have a long history of serving local families in Michigan.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in West Branch?
Hospice care in West Branch focuses on comfort for the patient. It helps the whole family during a tough time. The team at this provider includes 10 registered nurses. They work with a total staff of 17 people to meet daily needs. You will find that these professionals visit homes to provide care. They help manage pain and offer emotional support. And they work to make sure the patient stays as comfortable as possible. This is a common way to provide care in rural Michigan. The team is ready to answer questions about how they support your family at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision for your family. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the home. You should also ask how the team handles pain at night or on weekends. It is good to know who you will call when an emergency happens. Ask about their plan for keeping you informed about changes in care. These questions help you understand how they will work with you. You want a provider that listens to your needs. Take your time to get the answers you need to feel comfortable.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We offer tools to help you save your favorite memories and stories during this time.
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