GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 24090 SMILEY ROAD, SUITE 200
NISSWA, MN 56468 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 26, 2007
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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
12
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 GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 57th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
44
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 day12.9 min
Ranks better than about 57% 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 weekends6.1%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 life95.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits63.4%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care3.6%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 months28.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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)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$19,328 · 57th 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 76.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.1%
- All care steps completed99.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke7%
- 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 Nisswa
Good Samaritan Society Hospice offers essential end-of-life care in Nisswa, Minnesota. Located on Smiley Road, they serve families throughout Crow Wing County. Their team focuses on comfort and dignity for patients during their final months. They understand the challenges families face when a loved one has a serious illness. The staff provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to help manage pain and stress. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family members. By choosing local care, families can stay close to their loved ones during this time. The team is dedicated to providing high-quality service to everyone in the Nisswa area. They are ready to help you navigate this difficult journey with compassion and kindness.
About Good Samaritan Society Hospice
Good Samaritan Society Hospice operates as a for-profit provider in Minnesota. They have been certified by Medicare since January 2007. This long history shows their commitment to following federal health guidelines. When choosing a hospice, it is helpful to know about their background and service history. This provider has maintained their certification for many years. Families should feel comfortable asking about how they manage daily care and support. Being a Medicare-certified provider means they meet strict standards for patient safety and care quality. You can trust that they have been evaluated by government officials to ensure they provide proper care. Understanding these basics can help your family make an informed choice. It is important to feel confident in the team that will support your loved one. They are here to provide consistent care every step of the way.
Quality Care Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Nisswa
Hospice care is a special way to support people with life-limiting illnesses. It focuses on comfort rather than a cure. In Nisswa, families can access these services at home or in other care settings. The main goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient can be at peace. Nurses, aides, and volunteers work together as a team. They visit the patient to offer care and support. They also provide help to families to manage their grief and stress. Choosing hospice early can offer more time for quality moments with family. It is a service that puts the needs of the patient first. Many families find that hospice provides the extra hands they need during a hard time. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local providers are there to help you find the right level of support.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice team is a very important step for your family. You should feel free to ask questions until you feel at ease. Here are a few things to consider asking:
- How quickly can a nurse arrive if there is an emergency at night?
- What specific services do your volunteers offer to support our family?
- How do you handle pain management and changes in symptoms?
- Can you help us understand the hospice benefit and what it covers?
Asking these questions helps you know what to expect from the team. It is also a good idea to ask how they will keep you updated on your loved one's health. Clear communication is key to a good relationship with your hospice provider. Do not be afraid to ask for more information. You deserve to feel supported and informed throughout the entire process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is precious. We can help you capture and save your family stories for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
ESSENTIA HEALTH ST MARYS HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
CHI HEALTH AT HOME
STCH SOUTH CENTRAL MN OPCO LLC
CARETENDERS HOSPICE
LAKEVIEW HOSPICE
ESSENTIA HEALTH HOSPICE WEST
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.