LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2024 LEHIGH STREET
ALLENTOWN, PA 18103 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 23, 1987
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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) | 70 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
151
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 LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- 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 LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
20.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 95th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
199
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 day20.2 min
Ranks better than about 95% 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 weekends12.8%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 life95.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 visits29.3%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care12.7%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 months24.2%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care8.5%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 hospice2.5%
Ranks better than about 31% 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)97th 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$8,242 · 6th 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 56% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100.0%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100.0%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life56%
- 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.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Lehigh Valley Hospice Overview
Lehigh Valley Hospice serves residents in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This provider offers end-of-life care for patients who meet the medical criteria for hospice services. They help families manage symptoms and maintain comfort during difficult times. The hospice has been Medicare certified since 1987. That is over three decades of history in the local community. Their team works to provide support for patients at home or in other care settings. They focus on the needs of the patient and their family members. This location operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the group focuses on reinvesting resources back into their care programs. They are a freestanding hospice provider. This means they are not part of a larger hospital building. Families often choose them for their long history of service in the Lehigh County region. They aim to provide care with a clear focus on the patient's goals.
About Lehigh Valley Hospice
Lehigh Valley Hospice is a non-profit provider. They have maintained Medicare certification for many years. This certification is a standard for health safety and quality. It means they must meet federal rules for how they treat patients. Being non-profit is a common choice for community-based care. It means their main goal is the mission of care rather than making a profit for owners. You should know that this location has a clear history of meeting government standards. They are held to the same rules as all other Medicare-certified hospices. The organization has spent years building its reputation in Allentown. They employ a staff of 151 people to support their daily operations. This group includes 70 registered nurses and two physicians. Having a large team of nurses allows for more frequent check-ins. That is a significant resource for families who need regular nursing care. Their long tenure suggests a stable presence for the community.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Allentown?
Hospice care in Allentown follows a team approach to manage pain and symptoms. The goal is to improve quality of life for the patient. You will find that Lehigh Valley Hospice uses a team of 151 total employees to get this done. This team includes 70 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical plans. This staffing mix is designed to handle complex medical needs around the clock. The team meets often to adjust care plans based on how the patient feels. They also provide emotional support for the whole family unit. Having two physicians on staff is helpful for managing complicated health conditions. You can expect them to work closely with the patient's primary doctor. They want to make sure everyone is on the same page. This level of coordination helps families feel more at ease during the process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before you pick a provider. Start by asking how the team handles pain during the night or on weekends. It is good to know who you will call in an emergency. You should ask how often a nurse will visit the home. Ask if they provide extra help like social workers or volunteers. You might also ask how they help families deal with grief after a loss. It is smart to ask about their experience with specific illnesses. You want a team that understands your loved one's unique health situation. Ask them to explain their plan for keeping the patient comfortable. Finally, ask what happens if the patient's needs change over time. These answers will help you make a choice that fits your family's needs. Take your time to get the information you need to feel confident in your decision.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. We offer tools to help you capture these stories to keep them safe for future generations.
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