FIRST CHOICE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 560 WEST 800 NORTH
OREM, UT 84057 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 3, 2005
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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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Physicians | 1 |
10
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 FIRST CHOICE 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 That code may be out of date.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.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 FIRST CHOICE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 73rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day14.6 min
Ranks better than about 73% 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 weekends6.1%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 life94%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 visits16.8%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months48.5%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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$18,871 · 55th 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 68.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment97.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids95.2%
- Visits in the last days of life68.7%
- All care steps completed94.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Orem
First Choice Hospice provides end-of-life care for families in Orem, Utah. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support during a difficult time. The team works to manage pain and improve the quality of life for every patient. They serve the local Utah County area with a dedicated staff. Choosing hospice is a big decision for any family. You want a team that listens to your needs and respects your wishes. First Choice Hospice aims to be that partner for you and your loved ones.
About FIRST CHOICE HOSPICE
First Choice Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since June 2005. That is almost two decades of service to the community. They operate as a for-profit organization. Some families worry about what that means. The truth is that all Medicare-certified hospices must meet the same federal standards for care. They follow strict rules to ensure patients get the help they need. This provider has a strong track record of following these guidelines. You can feel confident knowing they have helped many people in Orem over the years. They understand the local health system well. That is a big deal when you need quick answers or support. They keep their focus on the patient and the family unit at all times.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Orem
Finding the right hospice in Utah County can feel like a chore when you are already tired. But you are not alone in this process. Many families in Orem choose to start hospice care early. This allows the team to build a real relationship with the patient. It is not just about medical equipment or medicine. It is about having a nurse or aide who knows your family name. Most hospices here offer visits at home or in nursing facilities. Some people think hospice is only for the very last days of life. That is a common myth. The truth is that hospice can help for months if the patient qualifies. Starting early means more time for peace and comfort. It gives families more time to just be together without the stress of constant hospital trips.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions. It is your life and your family's care. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You also want to know who is on call at night and on weekends. Ask how they handle pain and if they have extra support for family members. Here are a few good questions to start with:
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one?
- What happens if we have a crisis in the middle of the night?
- How does your team help family members cope with grief?
- Can we keep our current doctor involved in the care plan?
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We make it simple to record these precious memories so they can be shared for generations to come.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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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.