FIRST CHOICE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1819 VIRGINIA AVENUE
HARRISONBURG, VA 22802 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 22, 2016
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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) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
4
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.
- 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FIRST CHOICE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 38th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
20
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 day11.2 min
Ranks better than about 38% 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 weekends6.9%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 life89.7%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 visits19.8%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 care15.4%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 months26.9%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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$11,395 · 16th 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 46.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids94.1%
- Visits in the last days of life46.8%
- All care steps completed95.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
First Choice Hospice Services
First Choice Hospice provides end-of-life care for families in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They operate out of their office on Virginia Avenue in Rockingham County. The team focuses on comfort and support when a cure is no longer the goal. They help patients stay at home or in familiar surroundings whenever possible. This care team works to manage pain and symptoms while honoring the wishes of the patient. It is a local option for those who need dedicated hospice support in the Shenandoah Valley area.
About First Choice Hospice
First Choice Hospice has served the community since January 2016. They hold a Medicare certification, which means they meet federal standards for care. Their ownership is listed as 'other,' which is common for many hospice agencies. Families should know that Medicare certification requires a regular review of how they provide care. This ensures they follow rules for safety and quality. Choosing a certified provider helps you feel sure that they have the right staff to meet your needs. That said, it is always a good idea to meet the team in person. You want to feel comfortable with the people entering your home during a sensitive time.
Quality of Care Insight
Understanding Hospice Care in Harrisonburg
Finding the right hospice in Rockingham County can feel like a heavy task. But you have options. Most hospice care happens wherever the patient calls home. This could be a private house, an assisted living center, or a nursing facility. The main goal is to improve the quality of each day for the patient and their family. Nurses, aides, and social workers make up the core team. They visit regularly to check on comfort levels and emotional needs. What most people don't realize is that hospice is not just about the final days. It can last for months. Early access to these services often leads to better symptom management. So, do not wait until the last minute to reach out for help. Start the conversation early to get the support you deserve.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions. This is your family, and you deserve clear answers. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. It is also smart to ask what specific support they offer for family members who are grieving. You might want to know how they handle pain management and if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. Another good question is how often the nurse will visit. You need to know if the schedule changes based on your needs. And finally, ask if they have volunteers who can help with errands or offer company. A good provider will be happy to answer all of these questions. If they seem rushed or annoyed, that might be a red flag. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is about more than just medical care. It is about the life, lessons, and memories that make your loved one who they are. We help you save those precious stories for the future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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