RIVERSTONE HEALTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 2626 1ST AVE S
BILLINGS, MT 59101 - Ownership Type
- Combination Government & Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 6, 1988
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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) | 17 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 2 |
42
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 RIVERSTONE HEALTH reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2012.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how RIVERSTONE HEALTH compares to hospices nationwide.
15.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
47
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 day15.5 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends10.4%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 life99.5%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 visits58.8%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months10.8%
Ranks better than about 95% 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 care16.2%
Ranks better than about 14% 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)74th 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$11,924 · 18th 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 77% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.3%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life77%
- All care steps completed96.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer36%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care at Riverstone Health
Riverstone Health provides compassionate hospice support to families in Billings, Montana. They serve the Yellowstone County area from their office on 1st Avenue South. Choosing hospice is a brave step toward focusing on comfort and quality of life for your loved one. The team here aims to support you through every stage of this difficult journey. You are not alone in this process. Getting the right help early makes a world of difference for everyone involved.
About Riverstone Health
Riverstone Health operates as a combination government and non-profit organization. They have been Medicare certified since May 6, 1988. That is over three decades of serving the community. What does this mean for your family? It means they have deep roots and a long history of meeting federal standards. They are held to strict rules to ensure they provide high-quality care. When you pick a provider with this much experience, you get a team that understands how to manage complex needs. They focus on dignity above all else. Reach them at (406) 247-3200 to learn more about their specific programs.
Quality Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Billings
Finding the right hospice care in Billings can feel like a heavy task. The city has several options, but not all providers are the same. Medicare requires agencies to follow specific rules to keep their certification. This keeps care safe and reliable. Many people think hospice is just for the final days, but that is a myth. It is actually about living well for as long as possible. The goal is to keep your loved one at home surrounded by the things they love. You should feel empowered to ask questions until you find the right fit for your unique family situation.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It is smart to talk with a few agencies before you decide. Don't be afraid to be direct. Here are a few questions that help you get to the truth. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers who might be tired or overwhelmed. And finally, ask how their team will talk to your current doctor. The answers should be clear and make you feel calm. If they feel rushed, keep looking.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. We help you capture these precious stories before they fade, creating a digital keepsake for future generations to cherish.
Start Recording StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.