PIONEER MEDICAL CENTER
Provider Information
- Address
- 301 W 7TH AVE
BIG TIMBER, MT 59011 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 30, 2000
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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.
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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
10
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 PIONEER MEDICAL CENTER reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 PIONEER MEDICAL CENTER compares to hospices nationwide.
1
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in Big Timber
Pioneer Medical Center serves families throughout Big Timber and Sweet Grass County. They provide hospice services designed to support patients during their final months of life. The goal is simple: keep the patient comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. This team works to manage pain and provide emotional support for everyone involved. It is a local choice for folks who want care close to home. Choosing hospice is a big step for any family. Having a provider in your own community can make a real difference during this hard time.
About PIONEER MEDICAL CENTER
Pioneer Medical Center has been a Medicare certified hospice provider since October 30, 2000. That is over two decades of serving the community. They operate as a for-profit organization. Some families wonder what that means. It just describes how the business is set up legally. The most important part is the care they give to your loved one. They have met federal standards to earn their Medicare status. This means they must follow specific rules to keep patients safe. You should feel free to ask them about their daily routine. What most people do not realize is that every hospice provider must offer the same basic level of care. It is the team's personality and local presence that often helps families pick the right fit. Take your time to talk with them.
Quality Ratings Note
Understanding Hospice Care in BIG TIMBER
Finding the right care in a rural area like Sweet Grass County can feel like a challenge. But you have options. Hospice is not about giving up hope. It is about changing the focus to comfort and quality of life. The team usually includes nurses, aides, and social workers. They visit your home to help with medications and daily needs. That is a huge relief for caregivers who might be tired. And the best part is that Medicare covers these costs for most people. You do not have to walk this path alone. There are people in Big Timber ready to help your family manage the symptoms. Just remember that you are in charge of your own care plan. You can pick the team that feels right to you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should interview a few providers before you decide. Here are some questions to guide your talk. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You want to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor on call. That is vital for patient comfort. Third, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief is a heavy burden to carry by yourself. And finally, ask what their staff turnover is like. You want a team that stays consistent and knows your loved one well. Write these down before you call. It makes the conversation much easier to handle when you are feeling stressed.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is hard, but it is also a chance to listen and record the stories that shaped your family. Preserving these memories can bring comfort for years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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LIVINGSTON HOSPICE CARE
HEADWATERS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, LLC
SENIOR SOLUTIONS INC
HOLY ROSARY HOSPICE
STILLWATER HOSPICE
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.
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.