HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 358 TOM MILLER ROAD
PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 25, 1988
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
13
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 HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC 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
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.
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC compares to hospices nationwide.
15.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
37
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 day15.5 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends11.1%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits37.8%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 months25%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care3.6%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 hospice3.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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$9,829 · 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 71.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.3%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer45%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the North Country Inc
Hospice of the North Country Inc serves families in Plattsburgh, New York. This freestanding provider offers specialized end of life care to those in the Clinton County area. They became Medicare certified in 1988. This means they meet strict federal standards for patient care and safety. Families choose this provider to help manage symptoms and support loved ones during a difficult time. Their team focuses on comfort and dignity for every person they serve. It is a local resource for those needing support at home or in other settings.
About Hospice of the North Country Inc
This organization operates as a freestanding hospice provider. They have maintained Medicare certification for over thirty years. This long history shows a commitment to meeting federal quality benchmarks. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on hospice services rather than running as part of a large hospital system. That allows them to dedicate all their resources to end of life comfort. Families often prefer this focused approach. The agency holds high marks for quality of care and patient satisfaction. These scores come from official surveys conducted by Medicare. They track how well the team manages pain and how they communicate with family members. A strong track record in these areas provides peace of mind for those making care decisions. You can feel confident in their ability to deliver consistent and reliable support for your loved one.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Plattsburgh?
Hospice care in Plattsburgh focuses on keeping your loved one comfortable. The team at Hospice of the North Country Inc includes eight registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Two physicians also work with the agency to oversee medical care. This clinical team works together to manage symptoms like pain or shortness of breath. They visit the patient where they live. That might be a private home or an assisted living facility. The goal is to improve the quality of each day. You will find that having a dedicated team of nurses and doctors makes a difference. They offer guidance to families so you know what to expect. Care is available around the clock when emergencies happen. It is a local service built to support the specific needs of the North Country community. You can rely on these professionals to provide clear answers and steady care throughout the process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right care team is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis occurs at night. Ask how they coordinate with your current primary doctor. You also want to know what specific support they offer to family members who are grieving. Ask about their volunteer services and if they have staff who can help with errands or companionship. Does the hospice have a local office where you can meet someone in person? Find out how they handle medication changes. You deserve to understand the plan before care begins. Write your questions down ahead of time. This helps you stay focused during your meeting. Take your time to get the answers you need for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure worth saving for future generations to enjoy.
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