GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE OF MID-AMERICA, INC.
Provider Information
- Address
- 123 WEST KANSAS AVENUE
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 22, 2003
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 11 |
| Physicians | 1 |
56
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 SHEPHERD HOSPICE OF MID-AMERICA, INC. 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 GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE OF MID-AMERICA, INC. compares to hospices nationwide.
15.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 82nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
96
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 day15.9 min
Ranks better than about 82% 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 weekends7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 life92.8%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 visits29.6%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care2.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 months48.1%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care4.6%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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$19,641 · 59th 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 31.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening92.5%
- Pain assessment90%
- Breathing difficulty screening94.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment93.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.4%
- Visits in the last days of life31.5%
- All care steps completed80.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia27%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Independence
Good Shepherd Hospice of Mid-America provides care for families living in Independence, Missouri. This provider operates from their office on West Kansas Avenue. They focus on end-of-life support for patients in the Jackson County area. Medicare certified since 2003, they offer professional hospice services to those who qualify for this type of care. Finding the right help matters. This team works to provide support when it is needed most.
About Good Shepherd Hospice of Mid-America, Inc.
This organization operates as a for-profit, freestanding hospice provider. They have served the community for over two decades. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal rules for safety and care quality. These rules act as a baseline for all hospice programs. Families should look at how a provider scores on federal checks to gauge their performance. This provider maintains a strong standing in quality-of-care markers according to recent federal data. They also hold positive results in surveys that measure how patients and families view their services. Understanding these marks helps you make an informed decision for your loved one. You can ask them directly about their specific care approach. They are ready to answer your questions about their daily operations.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Independence?
Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life for the patient. In Independence, teams provide visits to your home or a care facility. The staff at this location includes 56 employees. This group features 10 registered nurses and 11 licensed practical nurses. One physician leads the medical side of their care team. These professionals work together to manage pain and provide emotional support for the patient. They also offer guidance to family members during this period. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable in a familiar setting. Most families find that having a dedicated team makes the process much clearer. You get regular updates from the staff about the care plan. It is a team effort designed to help you and your loved one stay at peace.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Ask these questions to get a clear picture of the care you will receive. First, ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency. This helps you understand their response times. Ask what specific services they provide to help with pain management. You should also ask how they support family caregivers during the day and night. Finally, ask if they have staff available on weekends or holidays. These details matter for your peace of mind. Every hospice team has a different way of working with families. Getting these answers upfront helps you compare your options effectively. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if an answer seems vague. You deserve to know exactly how they will care for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture memories and life lessons for future generations to cherish.
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