ASCEND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 783 NE ANDERSON LANE
LEES SUMMIT, MO 64064 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 1, 2004
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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) | 25 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 12 |
| Physicians | 0 |
86
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 ASCEND 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ASCEND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
18.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 92nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
233
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 day18.6 min
Ranks better than about 92% 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 weekends6.8%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits28.7%
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 care8%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 months42.3%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care18.9%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$18,744 · 54th 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 74% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.3%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.7%
- Visits in the last days of life74%
- All care steps completed94.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia37%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ascend Hospice
Ascend Hospice provides care for people in Lees Summit, Missouri. They operate as a for-profit hospice provider serving the Jackson County area. This provider holds Medicare certification to ensure they meet federal standards for end-of-life care. They have been active in this community since July 2004. Families in the area can look to them for support when a loved one needs specialized comfort services. Their team works to provide care that helps manage symptoms for those with a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice provider often feels like a heavy task. Knowing their history and certification status helps families feel more informed about their options. They offer a stable presence for those who need it most during difficult times.
About Ascend Hospice
This provider is a freestanding hospice agency. Being a for-profit entity, they focus on meeting specific operational goals while following Medicare requirements. They have been certified since 2004. Certification means the government checks their work to ensure they follow rules for quality and safety. This matters because it gives families a baseline for what to expect from the care team. The agency employs 86 staff members to handle daily needs. This group includes 25 registered nurses and 12 licensed practical nurses. These professionals work together to provide care. They do not have doctors on staff. Instead, they likely work with the patient's own doctor to manage care plans. You should always ask how they coordinate with your primary physician. Understanding their staffing model helps you see how they deliver care to patients each day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Lees Summit?
Hospice care in this part of Missouri focuses on comfort and dignity. It is not about a specific building, but rather a team that comes to you. The team usually includes nurses and aides who visit the patient at home. In Lees Summit, you can find teams ready to help manage pain and offer emotional support. This provider has a team of 25 registered nurses and 12 licensed practical nurses to help meet those needs. They coordinate care to ensure the patient stays comfortable. The goal is to improve quality of life for the patient and their family. Care is tailored to each person. Whether at home or in a facility, the focus stays on the patient. This model of care allows for a personal touch that many families find helpful during a transition. It is all about support.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice team is a big decision for any family. You deserve clear answers to help you feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management and symptom control. Ask them how they will communicate with your own doctor about changes in care. You should also find out how many nurses they have on staff to handle visits. Ask what specific services they provide beyond basic nursing care. Do they have volunteers or social workers available? These questions help you understand the level of support you will receive. Take your time to get the answers you need. A good provider will be happy to explain their process to you clearly.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life has a unique story worth saving for future generations to cherish and remember.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
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.