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 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) | 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 That code may be out of date.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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Ithaca
Hospice care offers comfort and dignity when families need it most. HOSPICARE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES provides these essential services to residents of Ithaca, New York and the surrounding Tompkins County area. They focus on managing pain and supporting the emotional needs of patients and their loved ones. It is a local resource dedicated to making difficult days easier to handle. Whether at home or in a facility, their team steps in to provide relief and guidance. The goal is simple. They want to ensure that every patient feels heard, safe, and comfortable throughout their care journey. That is why so many families in the region turn to them for support during their time of need. You are not alone in this process.
About HOSPICARE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profit margins. They have been Medicare certified since September 4, 1985. That is nearly four decades of service to the community. Having a long history like this shows they have deep roots in Ithaca. When you choose an established provider, you get the benefit of years of local experience. They know the area and the specific needs of families living here. You should feel confident asking them about their history and their approach to end-of-life care. They are ready to answer your questions about how they support patients at 172 East King Road. Taking the time to learn about their background can help you feel more at ease with your choice.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Ithaca
Finding the right hospice care in a place like Tompkins County can feel overwhelming. The good news is that Ithaca has strong options for families seeking support. Hospice is not just about medical care. It is a full team effort involving nurses, social workers, and volunteers. Most people think hospice is only for the final days, but it can provide months of comfort. The thing is, many families wait too long to reach out for help. Getting started early allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. This helps them manage symptoms much better. And it gives family caregivers a much-needed break. If you live in or near Ithaca, you have access to high-quality care that puts your family first. Don't hesitate to reach out to local experts to see how they can help your specific situation today.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking these questions to get a clear picture of their service. First, ask how quickly they can respond if a crisis happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they manage pain and other symptoms. You want to hear about their specific process for keeping your loved one comfortable. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the process. Finally, ask about their staff's experience with the specific condition your loved one faces. It is okay to be picky. You are choosing a partner for a very important time. Make sure their values match yours before you sign anything.
Keep Your Family Memories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We help you record and save these precious moments for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
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.