CHOICES HEALTHCARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 685 GOOD DRIVE, P.O. BOX 4125
LANCASTER, PA 17604 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 1, 1985
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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) | 94 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 42 |
| Physicians | 5 |
| Volunteers | 14 |
286
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 CHOICES HEALTHCARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CHOICES HEALTHCARE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
404
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 day16.2 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 weekends11.9%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits51.9%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care5.9%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 months41.6%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 care1.5%
Ranks better than about 79% 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)93rd 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$10,563 · 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 59.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.7%
- Pain assessment98%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed97.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.7%
- Visits in the last days of life59.6%
- All care steps completed90.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support at Home in Lancaster
Choices Healthcare serves the Lancaster community by providing compassionate hospice care for families in need. They operate out of Good Drive and have deep roots in Pennsylvania. Their team focuses on comfort and dignity for patients during their final months of life. It is not just about medical care. It is about helping your loved one live their remaining days with peace and joy. They provide a range of services designed to help the whole family through a very hard time. Choosing the right path is never easy, but having local support makes a world of difference. You deserve a team that cares about your story. That is exactly what this group aims to do for every person they serve in Lancaster County.
About Choices Healthcare
Choices Healthcare is a non-profit organization. This is a big deal because it means their focus stays on the patient rather than on profits. They have been Medicare certified since November 1, 1985. That is nearly four decades of experience serving local families. Longevity like that shows they have stood the test of time. When you pick a provider, you want someone with a proven track record. They know the healthcare system in Lancaster inside and out. You can trust that they understand the local regulations and resources available to you. Families should know that non-profit status often means more money goes directly into patient care. It is a sign of stability in a field that changes fast. They have built their reputation on years of steady, reliable work in this community.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Lancaster
Hospice is a special way of caring for people with terminal illnesses. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort over aggressive treatments that may not help. In Lancaster, you have several options for end-of-life care. But the goal remains the same everywhere. You want a team that handles pain, manages symptoms, and offers emotional support. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You get nurses, aides, and social workers all working for you. They come to your home or a facility. They ensure your loved one is safe. You might be surprised to learn that hospice can even help with spiritual needs or grief support. It is a full circle of care. And it really does make the journey a little bit easier for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider feels like a huge weight. You need the right answers to feel sure about your decision. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to emergencies at night. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit your home. It is important to know if they provide 24/7 phone support. Ask them how they handle pain if it gets worse suddenly. Do they have a doctor who works with your own primary care physician? These questions reveal a lot about how they operate. Never be afraid to ask for details. You are the advocate for your loved one. Getting clear answers helps you feel more in control. It turns a scary process into a series of manageable steps. Take your time to find the right fit for your family.
Keep Their Stories Alive
Your family history is a beautiful treasure that deserves to be remembered for years to come. Preserve those special memories and voices today.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
COMPASSUS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE - PHILADELPH
CARING HOSPICE SERVICES
AMEDISYS HOSPICE OF LANCASTER
PATIENT CARE HOSPICE
HOSPICE PROGRAM/VNA OF HANOVER AND SPRING GROVE
HOSPICE OF WARREN COUNTY
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