ASCEND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1120 WELSH ROAD SUITE 220
NORTH WALES, PA 19454 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 8, 2003
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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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 46 |
42
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 ASCEND HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ASCEND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 63rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
169
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 day13.5 min
Ranks better than about 63% 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 weekends4.2%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 life91.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits58.8%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 care6%
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 months49.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 care11.2%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 hospice1.7%
Ranks better than about 41% 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$19,638 · 59th 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 65.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.3%
- Visits in the last days of life65.8%
- All care steps completed98.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia44%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ascend Hospice
Ascend Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care in North Wales, Pennsylvania. Located at 1120 Welsh Road, they offer support to patients and families throughout Montgomery County. Their team focuses on comfort and quality of life when it matters most. They help manage pain and offer emotional support during a difficult time. Choosing the right hospice is a big step for your loved one. This team is dedicated to serving the local community with care and respect.
About Ascend Hospice
Ascend Hospice is a for-profit provider based in North Wales. They have been Medicare certified since April 8, 2003. This long history shows their commitment to meeting federal standards for hospice care. Families should know that Medicare certification means they follow strict rules for safety and quality. Being a for-profit provider, they operate with a specific business model. It is always wise to meet with their staff to see if their values match yours. They have served the area for many years. This experience helps them understand the unique needs of patients in this region. You can call them at (215) 542-2100 to learn more about their specific approach to care.
Quality Ratings at a Glance
Understanding Hospice Care in North Wales
Hospice care in Montgomery County is designed to help those with a life-limiting illness. The goal is to live each day as fully as possible. Care is usually given where the patient calls home. This could be a private house or a nursing facility. A team of nurses, doctors, and aides works together to help. They provide medicine for pain and support for the spirit. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local providers like Ascend Hospice offer a bridge to comfort. Families often find peace of mind knowing that professional help is nearby. Getting support early allows the team to build a strong bond with the patient. This helps ensure that the patient’s wishes are always the top priority.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a very personal decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will care for your loved one. Here are some questions to help you decide:
- How quickly can your team get to my home in an emergency?
- What specific services do you offer for emotional and spiritual support?
- How do you include family members in the daily care plan?
- Can you explain how your team manages pain and other difficult symptoms?
Take your time when you talk to them. It is helpful to write down the answers you get. Trust your instincts during these conversations. The right provider will be patient and clear with you. They should make you feel heard and supported throughout the entire process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is precious for your family. Documenting memories and life stories can be a beautiful way to celebrate your loved one. Start creating a lasting record today.
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TRANSITIONS HOSPICE
ASERACARE HOSPICE
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