CENTRAL PLAINS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 835 MERIDIAN AVENUE
COZAD, NE 69130 - Ownership Type
- Combination Government & Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 5, 1995
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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 August 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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
11
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 CENTRAL PLAINS 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CENTRAL PLAINS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 19th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
10
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 day9.4 min
Ranks better than about 19% 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 weekends3.3%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 life82.8%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 visits38.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care14.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 months28.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)81st 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$8,767 · 7th 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 25.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.7%
- Pain assessment97.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.0%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life25.7%
- All care steps completed94.8%
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%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Central Plains Hospice in Cozad
Central Plains Hospice serves families in Cozad, Nebraska. They offer end-of-life support for patients in Dawson County. This provider has been certified by Medicare since April 1995. Their team works to provide care that meets federal standards. You can reach them at 835 Meridian Avenue for more details. They are ready to answer your questions about local hospice options. Making a plan now helps everyone involved. It is a simple way to find peace during a hard time.
About Central Plains Hospice
Central Plains Hospice is a mix of government and non-profit ownership. This structure means they focus on serving the public good. They have held Medicare certification for nearly thirty years. That long history shows a steady commitment to federal quality rules. Being certified means they must pass regular state checks. These checks ensure they follow safety and health laws. Families should know that these rules cover everything from nurse training to patient rights. When a provider stays in the program this long, it shows they manage their operations well. You can feel sure that they understand the local needs of Cozad residents. They keep their focus on the patient at all times. That is the point of hospice care.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Cozad?
Hospice care in this part of Nebraska focuses on comfort and dignity. The team at Central Plains Hospice consists of eleven employees total. This group includes five registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They work together to manage pain and provide emotional support for the patient. You will find that these nurses handle the daily medical needs in the home. They do not have doctors or volunteers on staff. This means your own doctor often stays involved with your care plan. It is a direct approach to medicine. Everyone on the team knows their role well. They make sure the patient stays comfortable in their own bed. That is what matters most to families who want to keep their loved ones close to home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice provider is a big step for your family. You should ask questions that help you understand the daily routine of the staff. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem starts at night. Second, ask which staff members will visit most often. It is good to know if you will see the same nurse each week. Third, ask how they help family members cope with the stress of caregiving. You might also ask how they coordinate with your current primary care doctor. These answers will help you decide if they are the right fit for your situation. Take your time with these talks. You deserve clear answers that put your mind at ease.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of memories that should be saved for the next generation.
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