ASERACARE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1015 LOGAN BLVD
ALTOONA, PA 16602 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 10, 2004
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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) | 21 |
| Volunteers | 7 |
42
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 ASERACARE 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ASERACARE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 61st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
116
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 day13.3 min
Ranks better than about 61% 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 weekends8.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 life96.1%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 visits55.4%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months55.8%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 care3.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 hospice2.9%
Ranks better than about 26% 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$15,915 · 39th 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 83.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life83.7%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
ASERACARE HOSPICE in Altoona
ASERACARE HOSPICE serves the Altoona area from its office on Logan Boulevard. This provider offers end of life support to people living in Blair County. They have been certified by Medicare since 2004. The organization holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This status means an outside group checked their work against high standards. It is a sign of their commitment to quality care for every patient. They operate as a for-profit provider in the local community. Choosing hospice is a big decision for any family. Knowing these facts helps you understand who is providing care. They have a team ready to help you and your loved ones today.
About ASERACARE HOSPICE
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They have participated in the Medicare program for over two decades. Accreditation from the ACHC acts as a seal of approval for their service quality. The group reviews their daily operations to ensure they meet strict safety rules. Many families look for this accreditation because it shows a focus on standards. Their team includes 21 registered nurses and 7 volunteers who support the clinical staff. Having 42 total employees allows them to coordinate care across the region. You should know that for-profit status does not change the basic requirements for Medicare certification. All hospice providers must follow the same federal rules for patient care. They must report data on their performance to the government. This data helps you see how they compare to others. You can ask their staff about their specific experience with your loved one's health needs.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in ALTOONA?
Hospice care in Blair County focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. A team of experts comes to your home to manage pain and other symptoms. This team often includes nurses, aides, and volunteers. At this location, the staff is made up of 21 registered nurses and 7 volunteers. They work together to make sure the patient stays as comfortable as possible. The goal is to keep the patient in their own environment. You will find that hospice teams are very good at listening to your wishes. They provide emotional support to the whole family during a hard time. That is the main point of hospice care. It is about living as well as possible for the time that remains. You can talk to the staff about how they handle pain management and daily care needs in your home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before you sign any forms. Start by asking how many nurses will be assigned to your loved one. You also want to know how the team handles after-hours calls. If there is an emergency at night, who will answer the phone? Ask if the provider has experience with the specific health condition of your family member. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers at home. Do they have volunteers who can sit with the patient for a few hours? You might also ask how they coordinate care with the patient's primary doctor. A good provider will answer these questions with patience and clarity. Do not feel rushed during this process. Take your time to get the answers you need to feel comfortable with your choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
During this time, capturing memories and stories of your loved ones is a gift for future generations.
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