HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 1320 LINGLESTOWN ROAD
HARRISBURG, PA 17110 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 2, 1988
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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) | 56 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 6 |
| Physicians | 2 |
137
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 HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA compares to hospices nationwide.
15.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 82nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
154
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 day15.9 min
Ranks better than about 82% 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 weekends12.9%
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 life92.2%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 visits64.1%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care8.1%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 months39.1%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care13.7%
Ranks better than about 21% 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%
Ranks better than about 25% 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)89th 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$10,373 · 12th 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 58.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.7%
- Visits in the last days of life58.7%
- All care steps completed99.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer37%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
Hospice of Central Pennsylvania provides specialized end of life care for residents in Harrisburg and the surrounding Dauphin County area. This freestanding hospice team focuses on managing symptoms and comfort for those with life limiting illnesses. They offer support to patients and their loved ones in their own homes or residential settings. The organization has served the community for many years. It is a non profit group dedicated to professional care standards. Families often look for local providers with a long history of service. This provider has been certified to offer Medicare services since late 1988. That is a long track record of service in this region. Their team includes doctors, nurses, and support staff working together to meet specific patient goals. They aim to keep patients comfortable and supported during a difficult time. Choosing the right care team is an important step for any family facing these health changes.
About Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
Hospice of Central Pennsylvania operates as a non profit organization. This status means their focus remains on patient outcomes and care delivery. They first gained Medicare certification in September 1988. This certification confirms they meet federal rules for medical care and safety. Families should know that non profit hospice groups often reinvest their resources back into community programs. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice. That means they act as an independent entity rather than a department inside a hospital. This structure allows them to build specialized teams focused only on hospice care. Their staff includes 56 registered nurses and 6 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 physicians on the team. These professionals work to coordinate care plans that fit the unique needs of each patient. Having a large team of nurses helps ensure that clinical attention is available when needed. It is a clear sign of their commitment to hands on care.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Harrisburg?
Hospice care in Harrisburg centers on comfort, dignity, and family support. Patients receive care from a team of 137 employees who focus on pain management and emotional needs. This group includes a mix of doctors and nurses trained in palliative care. They visit patients where they live to provide medical help and guidance. The main goal is to improve quality of life when a cure is no longer the focus. Many people find that having a team of trained professionals nearby makes a big difference. It reduces the stress on family members who act as primary caregivers. The staff works around the clock to ensure symptoms stay controlled. You can expect regular visits from nurses to monitor changes in health. They explain what to expect and how to help the patient stay comfortable. This local team works hard to keep patients safe in their own homes. Support is always just a phone call away for the families they serve.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit for your family requires asking the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home if an urgent need arises after hours. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other difficult symptoms for their patients. It is helpful to know how often a nurse will visit and what other staff members will be involved. Ask how they support family caregivers who may feel tired or overwhelmed. You might ask what their policy is if a patient needs more care than the home can provide. Understanding these details can help you feel more prepared and confident in your choice. Take your time to get clear answers about their daily routines. Do not be afraid to ask for specifics about their team size and availability. Your goal is to find a team that communicates well and responds to your concerns with kindness.
Preserve Family Stories
Every life is full of meaningful moments. We offer tools to help you record and save your family history during this time.
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