MORNING STAR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE SOLUTIONS
Provider Information
- Address
- 2225 SYCAMORE STREET SUITE 410
HARRISBURG, PA 17111 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 4, 2022
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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) | 3 |
| 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 MORNING STAR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE SOLUTIONS reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 MORNING STAR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE SOLUTIONS compares to hospices nationwide.
5.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 2nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
27
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day5.5 min
Ranks better than about 2% 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 weekends2.9%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life65.4%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 visits91.4%
Ranks better than about 5% 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%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 months12%
Ranks better than about 94% 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%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$17,919 · 50th 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 1 required care step for new patients here.
- Visits in the last days of life17.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- 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 Care in Harrisburg
Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care Solutions provides end-of-life support to families in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This provider operates out of an office on Sycamore Street. They focus on comfort, pain management, and emotional support for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision. You need a partner who listens to your family's specific needs during a hard time. That is where local providers like this one step in to help. They coordinate care to ensure your loved one stays as comfortable as possible. Whether the care happens at home or in a facility, the goal remains the same. The team provides the medical equipment and the staff to make each day count. It is about dignity and peace for everyone involved. If you live in Dauphin County, this is one of the options available to your family for hospice support.
About Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care Solutions
Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care Solutions is a for-profit provider. They have been certified by Medicare since October 4, 2022. That means they meet federal rules for the care they provide to patients. Being for-profit just tells you how they are set up as a business. It does not mean they are better or worse than a non-profit group. The thing is, you should always look at their specific quality scores. Families should feel comfortable asking about their staff and how they handle emergencies. They should also ask about the support services provided to family members. Since they have been active for a few years, they have established processes for their patients. You can reach their team at (717) 340-0500 to ask questions about their services. It is always a good idea to call and see how they answer your specific concerns before you make a final decision.
Understanding Hospice Care in Harrisburg
Harrisburg has a few different hospice choices for residents. Finding the right fit depends on your location in Dauphin County and the specific medical needs of your loved one. Most families do not realize that hospice is not just for the final days of life. It is designed for the final six months. You can start these services sooner rather than later. This allows more time for the team to build a bond with the patient. It also helps manage pain before it becomes too hard to handle. Local agencies in this area often work with nearby hospitals to make the transition smooth. You want a provider that knows the local community well. That helps when you need a nurse or a social worker to visit your home quickly. Access to care matters when you are tired and stressed. Keep this in mind as you look at different providers in the region.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have a right to ask hard questions before choosing a team. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if there is an emergency at night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of good hospice care. Third, ask how they handle pain management. Every patient is different, and their plan should be too. And finally, ask about their staff turnover. A team that stays together usually provides better care. Do not feel rushed to pick the first name you see. Take your time to get the right answers for your family. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions for you. They should be transparent and kind during every single step of the conversation.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
LIFESONG HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
BAYADA HOSPICE
AMEDISYS HOSPICE OF HARRISBURG WEST
CROSSINGS HOSPICE OF THE VNA
HOMELAND HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
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