PIONEER MEMORIAL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 162 N MAIN STREET
HEPPNER, OR 97836 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 25, 2002
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
12
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 PIONEER MEMORIAL HOSPICE 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
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PIONEER MEMORIAL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 23rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
3
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 day9.8 min
Ranks better than about 23% 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 weekends3.6%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 life85.7%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 visits66.7%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months0%
Ranks better than about 97% 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%
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%
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)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$11,126 · 15th 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 48.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening95.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening95.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life48.3%
- All care steps completed81.0%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Pioneer Memorial Hospice
Pioneer Memorial Hospice serves the Heppner, Oregon area from their office on North Main Street. This provider operates as a hospital-based program for those needing end-of-life support. They have maintained Medicare certification for over two decades since joining the program in 2002. Their team works to provide care within the Morrow County region.
About Pioneer Memorial Hospice
This hospice provider functions under a hospital-based ownership model. Being part of a hospital system often means the hospice can draw on broader medical resources when a patient has complex needs. The team includes 12 total staff members. This group consists of four registered nurses and one physician who oversee patient care plans. Families should look for providers that explain their specific care process clearly. Having a physician on staff allows for direct medical oversight during the final stages of life. That is a significant benefit for managing pain or difficult symptoms. Medicare certification ensures the facility meets federal standards for safety and quality. It also means they participate in regular reviews to keep their status active. You can feel confident knowing this provider has a long history of meeting these federal requirements for the people of Morrow County.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Heppner?
Hospice care in rural communities focuses on bringing support directly to your home. The goal is to keep patients comfortable while providing help to the whole family. In Heppner, this means coordinating with local medical staff to manage symptoms. The team includes four registered nurses who visit to check on the patient. They also have a physician on staff to guide medical decisions. You will find that hospice provides equipment, medications for pain, and emotional support for everyone involved. It is about improving the quality of each day. Because the staff size is smaller, you may get more familiar with your care team. They work together to ensure your loved one stays in a peaceful setting. This personalized approach is common for providers in smaller counties. It helps the team build a real connection with the people they serve every day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right care is a big decision for your family. Start by asking how the team handles an emergency during the night or on a weekend. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit your home. It is helpful to know who to call if you have questions about medicine. Ask them how they help family members cope with the stress of caregiving. Do they offer volunteers to sit with your loved one? Find out if they provide grief support after the loss. You deserve clear answers to these questions before you sign any paperwork. Keep your notes in one place. Talking to a few different people can help you feel ready to choose the best path forward for your specific situation.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. Use this time to record memories and stories that can be passed down for generations to come.
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Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.