STILLWATER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3737 GRAND AVE SUITE 1
BILLINGS, MT 59102 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 29, 2017
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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) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
4
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 STILLWATER 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how STILLWATER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 80th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
95
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 day15.7 min
Ranks better than about 80% 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 weekends5.9%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 life92.5%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 visits30.1%
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 care9.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months22.2%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care6.2%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 hospice4.9%
Ranks better than about 11% 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)67th 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$15,225 · 35th 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 43.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life43.2%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Billings
Stillwater Hospice serves families across Billings, Montana, from their office on Grand Avenue. They offer expert end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those with serious illness. Their team works closely with patients and their loved ones in Yellowstone County to manage pain and provide emotional support during a difficult time. Choosing the right care team can feel like a heavy task, but local providers like Stillwater are here to help guide you through the process. They prioritize the physical and spiritual needs of every person under their care. Whether you need help with symptom management or simply need someone to talk to, their staff is ready to listen. It is about making every moment count when time matters most.
About Stillwater Hospice
Stillwater Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since December 29, 2017. As a for-profit organization, they must meet strict federal standards to maintain their certification. This means they are regularly checked by the government to ensure they provide high-quality care to all patients. Being certified is a big deal because it allows them to accept Medicare benefits, which helps many families cover the costs of hospice services. You might be wondering what 'for-profit' means for your family. The truth is that both non-profit and for-profit hospices must follow the same Medicare rules for safety and care quality. Stillwater has built a track record of service in the Billings area over the last several years. They focus on providing a structured approach to care that emphasizes clear communication and reliable medical support for every family they serve.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Billings
Hospice care in Montana is designed to bring peace and comfort to your home. Many people think hospice is just for the final days, but it is actually meant for the final months of life. It provides a team of doctors, nurses, and aides who visit you wherever you live. This could be your own house or an assisted living center in Billings. The goal is to keep you comfortable and pain-free while surrounding you with a support system. You are never in this alone. Your care team handles the medical side so you can focus on being with the people you love. That said, it is important to know that you can choose your provider. You have the right to pick the team that feels like the best fit for your specific needs. Take your time to find a group that listens to your goals and values.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a personal choice that needs careful thought. Do not be afraid to ask questions to get the full picture. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. You want to know that someone is always available. Second, ask how the team will help manage pain and other difficult symptoms. Each patient has unique needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all plan. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after the patient passes away. Grief support is a huge part of the hospice promise. Finally, ask if their staff has experience with your specific health condition. The more you know, the more confident you will feel in your choice. It is okay to speak up for what you need during this time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be remembered. We provide a simple way to record and save these precious stories for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality 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.