HOSPICARE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 172 EAST KING ROAD
ITHACA, NY 14850 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 4, 1985
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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) | 14 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 77 |
39
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 HOSPICARE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES 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 That code may be out of date.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 HOSPICARE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
14.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 69th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
54
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 day14.1 min
Ranks better than about 69% 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 weekends6.5%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 life98.2%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 visits63.3%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care13%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months15.7%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 care0.9%
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 hospice0.9%
Ranks better than about 52% 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$9,979 · 10th 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 78.3% 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 discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.3%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia4%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions46%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospicare & Palliative Care Services
Hospicare & Palliative Care Services operates as a freestanding hospice in Ithaca, New York. This non-profit provider has served the Tompkins County area since 1985. They offer end-of-life care and support for families facing terminal illness. Their team includes doctors, nurses, and many volunteers dedicated to patient comfort. Choosing a provider with a long history in your own community can help you feel more secure. This organization focuses on providing care within the home setting for those who need it most.
About HOSPICARE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
This provider is a non-profit organization. It has held Medicare certification for nearly four decades. Non-profit status often means the group reinvests its extra funds back into patient care and local community programs. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus entirely on end-of-life services rather than running a hospital or a nursing home. Families should know that this specific focus allows staff to build deep connections with their patients. The organization manages a large group of 77 volunteers who help support the professional staff. These volunteers add a layer of personal care that goes beyond medical tasks. You should always check if a provider meets your specific needs by calling them directly. They can explain how their team handles pain management and emotional support for your loved ones.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in ITHACA?
Hospice care in Ithaca centers on comfort for the patient and support for the family. The team at this location is made up of 14 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They work with a physician to create a care plan that fits the specific needs of the patient. Having a large team of nurses ensures that medical needs are handled quickly and with skill. The staff also coordinates with the 77 volunteers to provide extra time and companionship. This blend of medical expertise and volunteer support creates a complete circle of care. It is helpful to ask how the nurses and volunteers divide their time during your first meeting. Most families find that having a dedicated team makes the process much smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions can help you pick the best care for your family member. First, ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency or at night. Second, inquire about how the team handles pain and symptom management for specific conditions. You should also ask how many volunteers they have and what tasks those volunteers perform during visits. Finally, ask if they offer services like music therapy or grief counseling for family members. These services can make a big difference in how you process the experience. Write down these questions before you call so you do not forget anything important. Clear answers will help you feel more prepared as you make this big decision for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
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