ESSENTIA HEALTH HOSPICE WEST
Provider Information
- Address
- 900 HILLIGOSS BLVD SOUTHEAST
FOSSTON, MN 56542 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 20, 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 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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
13
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 ESSENTIA HEALTH HOSPICE WEST 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 ESSENTIA HEALTH HOSPICE WEST 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.
6
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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life88.9%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 visits57.1%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months33.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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$8,873 · 7th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 55.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life55.8%
- All care steps completed97.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer39%
- Dementia26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Essentia Health Hospice West
Essentia Health Hospice West serves patients in Fosston, Minnesota, and the surrounding Polk County area. This agency provides end-of-life care focused on comfort and support for individuals facing a life-limiting illness. They have served the community since 1997. Choosing the right care team is a significant decision for your family. This provider offers services backed by decades of experience in the home health field. They aim to help patients remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Many families find that having professional support nearby makes a real difference in daily life. You can look at their official ratings to see how they perform on national quality measures. Getting clear information helps you make the best choice for your loved one. That is the first step in finding the right path forward.
About Essentia Health Hospice West
This agency operates as a for-profit provider. They have been certified by Medicare since March of 1997. Long-term certification shows a provider has met federal standards for care over many years. The organization maintains a staff of 13 people to support their patients. This team includes five registered nurses who manage medical needs and symptom relief. They also employ one physician and one volunteer to assist with care plans. Having a physician on the team ensures that medical decisions follow professional guidelines. Volunteers often provide extra companionship or help with small tasks around the home. It is helpful to know that these professionals work together to address both physical and emotional needs. Medicare certification requires agencies to follow strict rules for safety and quality. This helps families understand that the agency follows a set of baseline expectations for care. You should feel comfortable asking about how their specific team will support your family throughout the process.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Fosston?
Hospice care in this part of Minnesota focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits you where you live. They bring medical supplies and equipment to help manage pain and other symptoms. Nurses handle the medical side of things while volunteers may offer help with daily routines. It is a team approach. The goal is to improve the quality of each day for the patient. You will have a plan that changes as needs change. This flexibility is a core part of hospice care. If a symptom becomes hard to manage, the nurse can adjust the plan. They also offer support to family members who are helping with care. This can include education on how to assist a loved one or simply listening to concerns. Having local support means the team can reach you quickly when you need them most. That provides peace of mind for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a provider helps you understand if they are the right fit. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how the team manages pain and if they provide help for family caregivers. It is wise to ask what happens if the patient needs care in a hospital instead of at home. Ask how they keep the family updated on any changes in the patient's condition. You might want to know how often a nurse will visit the home during a typical week. Understanding their communication style early on prevents confusion later. Ask about the specific roles of the physician and the volunteers. Clear answers will help you feel more confident in your choice. Take your time to get the information you need to feel comfortable with the plan.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We offer tools to help you record and save these important stories for future generations to cherish.
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Helpful Guides for Families
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
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A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
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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.