BIG SKY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3760 MULLAN RD STE 101
MISSOULA, MT 59801 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 13, 2002
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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) | 8 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
18
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 BIG SKY HOSPICE 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 That code may be out of date.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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BIG SKY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 38th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
65
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 day11.2 min
Ranks better than about 38% 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 weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life92.4%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits80.5%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 months43.8%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 hospice6.3%
Ranks better than about 6% 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$17,559 · 48th 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 62.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life62.4%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Big Sky Hospice
Big Sky Hospice serves the Missoula community from their office on Mullan Road. This provider offers end of life support for local families. They have been certified by Medicare since 2002. This long history shows their commitment to the area. Their team works to provide comfort and care to those in need. Finding the right support makes a difference for your loved ones. This team includes a mix of doctors, nurses, and volunteers. They focus on meeting the physical and personal needs of each person they serve. You can reach their office directly by calling 406-543-4408. Their staff is ready to answer your questions about their services. Choosing a local provider helps keep care close to home. That is helpful during hard times. They aim to provide stable support throughout the hospice process.
Provider Details
Big Sky Hospice operates as a for-profit organization. Medicare certification means they must meet federal rules for safety and quality. This status is a benchmark for care standards. The agency has been part of the Medicare program for over two decades. Being a freestanding hospice allows them to focus on specialized care. The team consists of 18 total employees. This includes 8 registered nurses who manage daily care needs. They also have 3 physicians on staff to oversee medical treatment plans. Three volunteers help provide companionship and support for families. These numbers show a team built to handle specific patient loads. Understanding who works at the hospice helps you know what to expect. You want a team with the right skills to help your family. They strive to provide care that meets federal expectations every single day. That is the goal of their work in the Missoula area.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Missoula?
Hospice care in Missoula focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient. A team of experts visits the home to manage symptoms. This team often includes nurses, doctors, and trained volunteers. At Big Sky Hospice, the staff includes 8 registered nurses and 3 physicians. They work together to address pain and emotional needs. You can expect regular visits to monitor how things are going. The team also supports family members by offering guidance and care. They listen to your concerns and adjust the plan as needed. Having a local team means they know the community resources well. They provide care in homes throughout the Missoula region. This allows patients to stay in a familiar space with their loved ones. Getting the right care at home brings peace of mind to many families.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big step for your family. You should feel comfortable asking questions about how they operate. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. You should also ask how they handle pain management for their patients. It is smart to ask how often the doctor will visit your loved one. Another good question is how they support family caregivers with training and emotional help. You might also ask if they have volunteers who can sit with the patient. These answers help you understand their daily routine. Take your time to get the information you need. You deserve to know exactly how they will care for your loved one. Clear answers lead to better decisions. Your peace of mind matters during this time.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Preserving the memories and life stories of your loved ones is a gift for future generations. Start documenting your family legacy today.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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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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How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
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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.