SANFORD BEMIDJI HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3201 PINE RIDGE AVENUE NORTHWEST SUITE A
BEMIDJI, MN 56601 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 23, 1987
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 25 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
37
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 SANFORD BEMIDJI 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SANFORD BEMIDJI HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
28
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends2.8%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life91.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits64.1%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care3.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 months30%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 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)67th 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$9,840 · 10th 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 58.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life58.7%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About SANFORD BEMIDJI HOSPICE
SANFORD BEMIDJI HOSPICE provides end-of-life care in Bemidji, Minnesota. They serve residents across Beltrami County and the surrounding area. Their team focuses on comfort and support for patients with serious illnesses. They aim to improve the quality of life during a very difficult time. The hospice team works closely with families to meet their unique needs. They provide care in the comfort of your own home or other living settings. You can reach their office at 3201 Pine Ridge Avenue Northwest, Suite A. Their staff is ready to answer your questions about the care process. Choosing the right hospice is an important step for your family. This team is dedicated to supporting your loved one with kindness and respect. They strive to make every day as peaceful as possible for those in their care.
About SANFORD BEMIDJI HOSPICE
SANFORD BEMIDJI HOSPICE has been Medicare certified since June 23, 1987. This long history shows their commitment to serving the Bemidji community. The provider is listed under "Other" ownership. This means they operate differently than private or non-profit groups. Families should know that Medicare certification means they meet federal safety standards. These standards help ensure that patients receive high-quality care. It is helpful to understand how a provider is run when making your decision. You should feel free to ask them about their specific care approach. They have served the area for many years. This experience can provide peace of mind to families during a tough transition. Their long-standing presence in Beltrami County shows they are a stable partner for your health needs. You deserve to work with a team that understands local needs and values.
Quality of Care Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in BEMIDJI
Hospice care is about helping people live their final days with comfort. It is not about rushing the end of life. It is about managing pain and helping with daily tasks. In Bemidji, hospice teams include nurses, doctors, and social workers. They also offer spiritual support and grief help for your family. These teams visit you where you live. They make sure you have the supplies and medicine you need. Hospice care is a team effort. You are part of that team. You and your loved one make the decisions about the care plan. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable and pain-free. This allows your family to focus on spending quality time together. You do not have to face this journey alone. Local experts are ready to help you navigate these difficult choices every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking many questions. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- How quickly can a nurse get to our home in an emergency?
- What support do you offer to family members who are grieving?
- How do you manage pain and other symptoms at night or on weekends?
- Can we keep our current doctor involved in the care plan?
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time of life is precious. We can help you capture and save the stories and memories of your loved ones for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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CENTRACARE HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
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.