BLUE MOUNTAIN HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 422 WEST MAIN STREET
JOHN DAY, OR 97845 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 28, 2005
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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 |
| Physicians | 1 |
16
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 BLUE MOUNTAIN HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BLUE MOUNTAIN HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 27th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
6
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 day10.2 min
Ranks better than about 27% 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%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life82.2%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 visits50%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 months23.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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)67th 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$9,051 · 8th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 46.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.7%
- Pain assessment95.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life46.6%
- All care steps completed84.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer43%
- Other conditions37%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Blue Mountain Hospice
Blue Mountain Hospice is located in John Day, Oregon. They offer compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families in Grant County. This provider focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. Their team works hard to support the needs of every person they serve. Choosing a local hospice provider means you get care from people who know your community well. They are dedicated to helping families navigate the hospice journey with grace and kindness.
About Blue Mountain Hospice
Blue Mountain Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means they prioritize patient care over profits. They have been Medicare certified since July 28, 2005. This long history shows their commitment to meeting high federal standards for care. Families can feel confident knowing this provider has served the area for many years. Their non-profit status is an important detail to consider when you compare local options. They follow strict rules to ensure they provide safe and effective care for your loved ones.
High Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in John Day
Hospice care is a special type of care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on relief from pain and other symptoms. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient. Hospice also provides emotional and spiritual help for families. In a rural area like John Day, local providers play a vital role. They bring necessary medical equipment and expertise directly to your home. You do not have to face this journey alone. Your hospice team acts as a partner. They help manage daily challenges so you can focus on spending time with your loved one. This support is available wherever the patient calls home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Here are some questions to help you decide:
- How quickly can your team reach our home if we have an emergency?
- What specific services do you provide to help with pain management?
- How do you support family members who are grieving?
- Can you explain how your team coordinates care with our regular doctor?
Ask these questions to get a clear picture of how they work. Trust your instincts when you talk to them. A good provider will answer your questions with patience and honesty. They should make you feel heard and supported throughout the entire process.
Preserving Your Family Stories
This time is often a chance to reflect on precious memories. Capturing your loved one's stories can be a beautiful way to honor their life and legacy for future generations.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
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.