HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 358 TOM MILLER ROAD
PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- 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 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) | 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 treatment99.1%
- 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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the North Country Inc
Hospice of the North Country serves families in Plattsburgh and the surrounding Clinton County area. This non-profit provider focuses on end-of-life care for those who need support at home or in a facility. They have held Medicare certification since 1988. This length of service shows a long commitment to the local community. Their team works to manage pain and keep patients comfortable during their final months. Choosing the right care is a major decision for your family. This provider offers a stable option for those in need of professional medical support. Their experience helps them serve patients with a wide range of health conditions. You can expect them to work with your primary doctor to build a plan that fits your specific needs. They are ready to help you now.
About HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC
This organization operates as a non-profit hospice provider. Being a non-profit means they often reinvest their earnings back into their patient care services. They have been certified by Medicare for over three decades. This is a sign of a provider that understands the rules and standards of hospice care. They are located on Tom Miller Road in Plattsburgh. You might wonder why ownership matters. Non-profit groups often focus heavily on their mission to serve the local area. This provider keeps a steady team ready to assist your loved one. They have two physicians on staff to oversee medical decisions and care plans. Having doctors on the team is a helpful feature for complex health cases. Their history shows they have stayed in the community for a long time. Families should feel good about choosing a partner with such deep roots.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in PLATTSBURGH?
Hospice care in Plattsburgh involves a team-based approach to managing life-limiting illnesses. The goal is to improve the quality of each day for the patient. This provider uses a staff of thirteen people to deliver this care. Their team includes eight registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Having many nurses on staff means they can respond to changes in a patient's health quickly. They also employ two physicians to guide the medical strategy for every patient. This staffing level allows them to provide consistent attention. The team visits the patient wherever they call home. They bring the necessary supplies and medicine to keep the patient at ease. That is the main purpose of hospice care. It is about keeping the person comfortable in their own space. The staff helps the family understand what to expect. They want to make the process as simple as possible for you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with a few providers before you make your final choice. Ask how the team handles pain management after normal business hours. You need to know who will answer your call in the middle of the night. Ask how many staff members live near the patient to ensure quick visits. Another good question is how they support the family members who are acting as caregivers. Do they offer extra visits from volunteers or social workers? Ask how often the doctor will check on the patient. You want a clear answer on how the care plan changes as the patient gets weaker. Find out how they handle sudden changes in health. A good provider will be open about their process. They should listen to your worries. Do not feel rushed. You have time to ask these questions until you feel satisfied with the answer.
Preserve Your Family History
Your loved ones have stories that deserve to be remembered by your family for years to come. Start saving these memories today.
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