COMPASSUS HOSPICE HELENA
Provider Information
- Address
- 19 DISCOVERY DR
BUTTE, MT 59701 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 20, 2008
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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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 4 |
31
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 COMPASSUS HOSPICE HELENA reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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.
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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMPASSUS HOSPICE HELENA compares to hospices nationwide.
12.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 56th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
24
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 day12.8 min
Ranks better than about 56% 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 weekends12.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 life91.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits62.6%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 care4.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 months31.7%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care4.9%
Ranks better than about 62% 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)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$11,095 · 15th 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 56.4% 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 life56.4%
- 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.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassus Hospice Helena in Butte
Compassus Hospice Helena serves families throughout Butte, Montana from their office at 19 Discovery Drive. They provide expert end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients. Their team works to manage pain and symptoms while supporting the emotional needs of the entire family. Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision during a difficult time. Having a local team nearby in Silver Bow County can make a real difference in how quickly they respond to your needs. They offer a range of services designed to keep patients in their own homes whenever possible. It is all about providing the right support exactly when it is needed most. That is the core goal of their hospice care team here in Montana.
About Compassus Hospice Helena
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have been Medicare certified since August 20, 2008. This long history shows they have spent over 15 years meeting federal standards for patient care. Being Medicare certified means they must follow strict rules to ensure high quality. Families should know that for-profit status is common in hospice care today. The most important thing is how the team treats your loved one every single day. You can feel confident knowing they have been part of the Butte medical community for a long time. They understand the local health systems and how to get things done for their patients. When you talk to them, ask about their specific experience with your loved one’s health condition. It helps to have a clear picture of how they plan to support your family's unique journey.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Butte
Hospice care in Butte is about more than just medical help. It is a philosophy of care that prioritizes the patient's wishes above all else. When a cure is no longer the goal, hospice steps in to focus on comfort and peace. The team usually includes nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains who visit the patient's home. They help with pain management, personal care, and emotional guidance for the family. In Silver Bow County, families often rely on these services to avoid frequent trips to the hospital. The thing is, many people wait too long to call hospice. You can start these services as soon as a doctor says the life expectancy is six months or less. Getting help early often leads to better care and more meaningful time spent together. It is not about giving up. It is about making every day count.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a big deal. You want to feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking these simple questions during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know that someone is always available. Second, ask how they handle pain and symptom management to keep your loved one comfortable. Third, ask what kind of support they offer for family members who are grieving. And finally, ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. The answers should be clear and easy to understand. If a provider uses too much medical jargon, do not be afraid to ask them to explain it simply. You deserve to feel heard and supported throughout this entire process.
Preserve Your Family's History
This time is about more than just medical needs. It is a chance to gather stories, memories, and wisdom from your loved one before they are gone. We help you record these moments so your family can keep them forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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LIVINGSTON HOSPICE CARE
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