PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (CENTRAL)
Provider Information
- Address
- 1900 NORTH PROVIDENCE ROAD SUITE 311
COLUMBIA, MO 65202 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 4, 2005
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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
20
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 PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (CENTRAL) 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (CENTRAL) compares to hospices nationwide.
13.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 66th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
31
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 day13.8 min
Ranks better than about 66% 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 weekends3%
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 life77.5%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 visits29%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 months66.7%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 hospice2.8%
Ranks better than about 28% 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$18,061 · 51st 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 15.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening91.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment90.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life15.9%
- All care steps completed88.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Preferred Hospice of Missouri (Central)
Preferred Hospice of Missouri (Central) provides end of life support to families in Columbia. They are a freestanding hospice team based on North Providence Road. This provider has served the local Boone County community since October 2005. They focus on comfort for those with a life limiting illness. Their staff works to improve quality of life every single day. That is the main goal of their care. You can reach their office directly at (573) 499-4540 to discuss your needs. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. It helps to know they have been a part of the Missouri healthcare system for nearly two decades now.
About Preferred Hospice of Missouri (Central)
This provider operates as a freestanding hospice. That means they are not part of a hospital or a nursing home. They function as an independent team focused only on hospice care. Being certified by Medicare since 2005 shows a long history of meeting federal health standards. Federal rules require agencies to meet strict guidelines for patient safety and comfort. This keeps the care consistent. They employ 20 staff members to handle daily needs. This group includes 3 registered nurses, 5 licensed practical nurses, and 1 physician. Having a dedicated doctor on the team is a helpful benefit for complex symptoms. Families should know that this mix of staff allows for a personal touch. You get a team that knows your loved one well. It makes a real difference during hard times.
Understanding Hospice Care in Columbia
Hospice is about living well in the final months of life. In Columbia, you have access to teams that bring care directly to your home. The staff at Preferred Hospice includes a balanced mix of nurses and doctors. That is a good sign. Nurses often visit to manage medications and answer questions about physical changes. Having 5 licensed practical nurses on staff means there is plenty of support for daily tasks. Social workers or chaplains often round out the team to help with emotional needs. Most people do not realize that hospice care is about more than just medicine. It is about peace of mind for the whole family. You are not alone in this. Your team will help guide you through the process step by step.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered when meeting with a hospice agency. Ask good questions to find 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 other symptoms. That is a big deal. Ask what happens if your loved one needs more care than you can provide at home. It is also smart to ask how often the nurse will visit your home. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with the team. You need to feel comfortable with the people coming into your house. Trust your gut feelings during these meetings. A good provider will be happy to answer every single question you have.
Preserve your family stories
Your family history is a treasure. We offer simple tools to record memories and preserve your loved one's voice for future generations.
Start your legacyOther Hospice Providers Nearby
ACG HOSPICE
HOSPICE COMPASSUS-NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI
ALTERNATIVE HOSPICE OF WESTERN MISSOURI, LLC
HOSPICE OF CARE
BRIGHTON HOSPICE MISSOURI, LLC
THREE RIVERS HOSPICE WEST
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
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.