WINDBER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 600 SOMERSET AVE
WINDBER, PA 15963 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 27, 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 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 34 |
22
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 WINDBER HOSPICE 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 WINDBER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
17.5 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.
68
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 day17.5 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 weekends11.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 visits3.1%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 care8.5%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 months43.9%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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)74th 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$12,850 · 22nd 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 78.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.3%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease38%
- Lung and respiratory disease4%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
WINDBER HOSPICE
WINDBER HOSPICE serves residents in Windber, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding Somerset County area. This provider operates as a hospital-based program offering specialized end-of-life care. They have provided medical support to the community since their Medicare certification in early 2003. Their team focuses on managing symptoms while supporting the needs of patients and their family members during a difficult time.
About WINDBER HOSPICE
WINDBER HOSPICE functions under an ownership structure classified as other. They earned their Medicare certification on February 27, 2003, which marks over two decades of local service. Medicare certification means the agency meets federal health and safety standards. That is a baseline for quality. Families should note that this agency maintains a strong team to support their mission. They employ 22 staff members including 11 registered nurses and one physician. They also coordinate care with a group of 34 volunteers. These volunteers provide companionship and extra help for families. Understanding the size of the team helps you see how they deliver care. It shows they have enough staff to handle daily medical tasks while supporting your loved one. You should always ask about how these staff members coordinate with your primary doctor.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in WINDBER?
Hospice care in Somerset County focuses on comfort rather than a cure for illness. The team at WINDBER HOSPICE works to reduce pain and manage daily symptoms. They rely on their 11 registered nurses to track changes in health. A physician also directs the medical side of the care plan. But the care goes beyond just medicine. The 34 volunteers play a big part in the experience. They offer time, a listening ear, or help with small tasks around the house. This mix of medical staff and volunteers creates a base of support for the whole family. You can expect the team to visit your home on a regular schedule. They adjust these visits based on what the patient needs at that moment. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable in their own home setting.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting the right care requires asking the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how the team will help you manage pain or breathing issues at home. Ask about their communication habits. Will you have one main contact person to call with your concerns? Finally, ask how they involve the family in the daily care plan. You want to know that your voice is heard throughout the process. A good agency will answer these questions clearly and with patience. Take your time to get the information you need before you decide.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep them safe for future generations.
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