GENTIVA II
Provider Information
- Address
- 400 LAKEMONT PARK BOULEVARD
ALTOONA, PA 16602 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 16, 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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
9
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 GENTIVA II 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 GENTIVA II compares to hospices nationwide.
15.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 78th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
86
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 day15.3 min
Ranks better than about 78% 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 weekends6.9%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits12.7%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 months34.5%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care14.5%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 hospice3.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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$17,640 · 49th 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 79.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life79.9%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease39%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Other conditions7%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Gentiva II in Altoona
Gentiva II provides end-of-life care for families in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This hospice program has served the local area since April 2004. They hold accreditation from CHAP, which means an outside group checks their work against strict national standards. This certification shows they meet clear rules for safety and care quality. Their team serves the Blair County region from their office on Lakemont Park Boulevard. They focus on providing comfort and support for patients during their final months. Their goal is to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. Choosing a team with a long history in the community can bring peace of mind to many. Families often look for this level of stability when they need help the most. It is a simple way to ensure the care team follows proven steps for every patient they see each day.
About Gentiva II
Gentiva II operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare for two decades. The CHAP accreditation they hold is a big sign of their commitment to high standards. This group visits the provider to look at their charts and talk to their staff. They check that the team follows rules for patient care and safety. Accreditation is not required by law, but it shows the provider wants to be held to a higher mark. Families should know that this provider maintains a lean team of nine staff members to handle their daily needs. This includes four registered nurses and one physician who lead the medical care. They also have one volunteer on their team to help with non-medical support. These people work together to keep the care plan on track. It is a small group, so they can stay very focused on the needs of each person they serve.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Altoona?
Hospice care in Blair County focuses on comfort for people with a terminal illness. The team at Gentiva II works to manage pain and symptoms so patients can stay at home. Care happens wherever the patient lives. This could be a house, an apartment, or a nursing facility in the Altoona area. Their staff includes four registered nurses who visit to check on the patient's health. They also have one physician to oversee the medical orders. A volunteer is available to offer extra support when needed. The team meets often to adjust the care plan based on how the patient feels. This approach ensures that care stays sharp and relevant to the current situation. They aim to support the whole family, not just the patient. It is a team effort designed to make hard days a little bit easier for everyone involved in the process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice team is a big decision for your family. You should feel free to ask questions until you have clear answers. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to the home if a sudden problem happens at night. You should also ask how the team will handle pain management and medication changes. It is helpful to ask how they support family members who are also grieving during this time. Ask about their staff turnover to see if the team stays together for a long time. You might want to know how they coordinate care with the patient's regular doctor. Finally, ask what specific tasks the volunteer can help with during their visits. Getting these answers upfront helps you understand what to expect. Clear communication is the best way to make sure your loved one gets the care they deserve every single day.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations to cherish.
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