LIFESONG HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3880 TECPORT DRIVE SUITE 2
HARRISBURG, PA 17111 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 3, 2019
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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) | 12 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 41 |
55
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 LIFESONG HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LIFESONG HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
17.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 89th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
56
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 day17.3 min
Ranks better than about 89% 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 weekends7.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 life97.6%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits35.4%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care1.3%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 months55.7%
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 care1.3%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice1.3%
Ranks better than about 47% 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$13,746 · 27th 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 76.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment93.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed98.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed91.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.5%
- All care steps completed86%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions34%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Harrisburg
Lifesong Hospice and Palliative Care serves families throughout the Harrisburg area from their office on Tecport Drive. They specialize in providing comfort-focused care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Choosing the right team during this time is a deeply personal decision. The folks at Lifesong offer support to both the patient and their loved ones in Dauphin County. They focus on managing pain and symptoms so that every day can be spent with more peace. Their team works to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It is about making sure your loved one stays comfortable in their own home or wherever they reside. That is the goal of hospice care. They have been helping families in Pennsylvania since 2019. If you live in or near Harrisburg, they are one of the local options available for your family's care journey.
About LIFESONG HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Lifesong Hospice and Palliative Care operates as a for-profit provider. They earned their Medicare certification on September 3, 2019. Being Medicare-certified means they meet federal standards for quality and safety. This is a big deal for families seeking reliable care. For-profit status simply means the organization is structured as a business, but they must still follow strict government rules. What most people don't realize is that all Medicare-certified hospices must offer the same core services. These include nursing care, medical equipment, and grief support. Lifesong is located in the 17111 zip code area. They are part of the local Dauphin County health landscape. When you look into their history, you see a provider that has been serving the community for several years now. It is helpful to know they have established roots in the region. You should always check if their specific approach matches what your family needs most right now.
Quality Ratings Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in HARRISBURG
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different kind of care. In Harrisburg, families have access to several hospice providers that help shift the focus from curative treatments to comfort. The goal is to keep patients free of pain. This allows them to spend meaningful time with the people they love most. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. Hospice care can start as soon as a doctor says life expectancy is six months or less. You don't have to wait for a crisis to happen. Local teams provide nurses, social workers, and aides who visit you. They are there to answer questions and provide support around the clock. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that you are not alone. There are resources in Dauphin County to help you manage this transition with dignity and care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to choose the hospice provider that feels best for your family. Start by asking how they handle after-hours emergencies. You need to know that someone will answer the phone at 3 a.m. on a Sunday. Ask how often a nurse will visit your home. Consistency is very important for peace of mind. You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Some providers offer extra counseling or support groups that can make a huge difference. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. Some agencies have special training for certain conditions. Don't be afraid to ask these questions during your first meeting. A good hospice team will be happy to give you clear answers. They should make you feel heard and respected throughout the whole conversation. Take your time to find the right fit for your situation.
Preserve Your Family's Stories
This time is about more than just medical care. It is a chance to capture the memories, lessons, and stories that define your loved one's life. Start building a digital legacy that your family can cherish for generations to come.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
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.