HospiceScout

LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPICE

Non-ProfitFreestanding 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

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)70
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)2
Physicians2

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

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.

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

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 screening99.9%
  • Pain assessment99.6%
  • Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
  • Visits in the last days of life56%
  • All care steps completed99.4%

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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Care in Allentown

Lehigh Valley Hospice provides comfort and support for families in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Located at 2024 Lehigh Street, this team helps patients live with dignity during their final months. They focus on pain relief and emotional support for the whole family. It is a local resource that serves the Lehigh County area with a steady, hands-on approach. The team works to make sure patients are comfortable in their own homes. That is their main goal every single day. Choosing a care partner is a big step. Having a team that is right in your own backyard can make things much easier for everyone involved. They have been providing these essential services to the community for a long time. You can reach them directly at (610) 402-7800 to learn how they might support your loved one during this journey.

About LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPICE

Lehigh Valley Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means they put all their resources back into patient care. They have been Medicare certified since April 23, 1987. That is nearly four decades of service to the people of Allentown. Longevity like that says a lot about their stability. Most families find comfort knowing the provider has a long history with federal health programs. Being non-profit is a key detail. It shows their mission is tied to the community rather than to shareholders. This matters because hospice is about people, not profits. The thing is, you want a team that knows the local doctors and the local hospitals well. This group has built those ties over many years. They understand the specific needs of families in Lehigh County. When you look at their history, it is clear they have deep roots here.

Top-Tier Quality Ratings

Lehigh Valley Hospice holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating from Medicare. They also earned a 5/5 score for their quality of care. Families report a high level of satisfaction, giving them a 4/5 rating on the national CAHPS survey. These numbers show they do a great job.

Understanding Hospice Care in ALLENTOWN

Hospice is a special type of care. It is not about giving up on life. It is about making the remaining time as peaceful as it can be. In Allentown, many families choose hospice to manage pain and symptoms at home. The goal is to keep the patient in their own bed, surrounded by their own things. That makes a world of difference for the spirit. The team usually includes nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains. They visit the home on a regular schedule to check on the patient. But they are also on call 24/7 if an emergency happens in the middle of the night. That is the peace of mind most families need. Hospice is covered by Medicare for those who qualify. It is a team effort to make sure the patient stays comfortable while the family gets the support they need to cope.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You have choices when it comes to hospice care. It is smart to ask questions before you sign anything. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You also want to know how they handle pain medicine and equipment needs. Here is a good question: how often will a nurse visit my loved one each week? That helps you know what to expect. You should also ask about their volunteer services. Many programs have volunteers who sit with patients or give family members a short break. That is called respite care, and it is vital. Finally, ask how they handle after-hours calls. Do you get a real person on the phone, or just a machine? You need to know that help is truly available when you need it most. Clear answers will help you feel much more confident in your decision.

Preserve Your Family's Story

Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you save these memories for your children and grandchildren to enjoy for years to come.

Start Preserving Memories

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Helpful Guides for Families

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.