VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 101 LAUREL ROAD
EAST NORTHPORT, NY 11731 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 2, 1989
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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) | 28 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 125 |
68
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 VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2008.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
13.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 60th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
83
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 day13.2 min
Ranks better than about 60% 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 weekends7.8%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits64.7%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 months27.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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)99th 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$11,493 · 16th 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 54.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.3%
- Visits in the last days of life54.9%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC
VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC provides hospice care for people living in East Northport, New York. This non-profit agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. They have served the community since 1989. Their team offers medical and supportive care to help families manage end of life needs at home or in other care settings. This agency is a home health provider that focuses on keeping patients comfortable. Choosing a local provider often helps families get care faster. It is a good idea to learn about their specific staff and service area. They work hard to meet high standards for the people they serve in Suffolk County.
About VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC
This agency operates as a non-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare for over thirty years. They also hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group reviews agencies to ensure they follow strict rules for safety and quality. When an agency earns this status, it means they meet high standards for patient care. The staff includes 28 registered nurses and 2 physicians. They also have a group of 125 volunteers who provide extra support to patients and families. You should know that their care model relies on this large team. They focus on quality of care and patient satisfaction. These factors show how they perform when compared to other hospice agencies across the country. Families should ask about how these teams work together to support daily needs at home.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in EAST NORTHPORT?
Hospice care in East Northport focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient and their loved ones. A team of experts visits the home to manage pain and symptoms. VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC uses a large staff to provide this support. With 28 registered nurses and 125 volunteers, they have the reach to offer frequent visits. These professionals coordinate with your doctor to make sure the care plan fits your specific situation. Many families find that having a team of nurses and volunteers makes a big difference during hard times. The volunteers can help with errands or simply provide company. Professional medical staff handle the complex parts of care. This balance allows families to spend more time together without worrying about the medical details.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel comfortable with the team you choose. Ask these questions to get a clear picture of their services. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain management and what medicines they provide. Third, ask how often a volunteer or social worker will visit your home for extra support. Finally, ask if they have staff available on weekends and holidays. These answers will help you understand if they fit your family goals. A good provider should answer these questions directly and clearly. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if the answer is not clear to you. You are building a partnership for care.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with loved ones is precious. Recording their life stories and memories provides a lasting gift for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE INC NEW HARTFORD
CHAUTAUQUA HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC
HELIOS CARE
HOSPICE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
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