ST JOHNS UNITED HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 502 NORTH 30TH STREET
BILLINGS, MT 59101 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 23, 2016
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 35 |
29
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 ST JOHNS UNITED 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST JOHNS UNITED HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
18.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 91st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
41
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day18.3 min
Ranks better than about 91% 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 weekends5.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 life99.1%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 visits26.1%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 months43.5%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 care8.7%
Ranks better than about 42% 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)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$16,964 · 44th 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 77.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.3%
- Pain assessment94.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97%
- Visits in the last days of life77.5%
- All care steps completed91.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Johns United Hospice in Billings
St. Johns United Hospice provides end-of-life care for families in Billings, Montana. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support for patients during their final months. Located on North 30th Street, this team serves the Yellowstone County area with a non-profit mission. They have been certified by Medicare since June 2016. That is over eight years of service to the local community. Choosing a provider is a deeply personal task. You want a team that feels like family. This group works to ensure your loved one feels safe and heard. They bring medical care and emotional support directly to where the patient lives. It is all about making each day count. St. Johns United Hospice aims to make a hard time a little bit easier for everyone involved.
About St. Johns United Hospice
St. Johns United Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profits. They have held Medicare certification since 2016. That matters because it shows they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. Families should know that non-profit hospices often reinvest extra funds back into staff training and patient programs. The thing is, hospice is not just about medicine. It is about the whole person. St. Johns provides a team approach. You get nurses, aides, and social workers who talk to each other. They coordinate care so you do not have to. They are there to answer your questions and help you understand what comes next. It is a big deal to have someone in your corner who knows the ropes. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns with patience and care.
Quality Care Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Billings
Billings is a hub for medical care in Montana. Families here have access to many hospice options, but finding the right fit is key. Most hospice care happens at home. That could mean a house, an apartment, or an assisted living facility. The goal is always the same. You want to keep your loved one comfortable and pain-free. Hospice teams in Yellowstone County visit regularly to check on symptoms. They also help with equipment like hospital beds or oxygen. But they offer more than just physical help. They provide spiritual support and counseling for the whole family. It is a total care package. And the best part? It is covered by Medicare for those who qualify. You do not have to walk this path alone. There are experts ready to step in and handle the heavy lifting while you focus on being there for your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a new hospice team can feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath. You have the right to ask hard questions. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. That is a big one. You also want to know how they handle pain management after hours. Do they have a doctor on call 24/7? Ask them that directly. It is also smart to ask about their experience with your loved one's specific condition. Every illness is different. You need a team that has seen it before. Finally, ask what kind of support they give to the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the process. If they stumble on these answers, keep looking. You need a partner who is clear, honest, and ready to help you right now.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be kept safe. We can help you record these memories so they last for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
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Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
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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.