WHATCOM HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2800 DOUGLAS AVE, SUITE 1-C
BELLINGHAM, WA 98225 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 24, 2001
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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) | 68 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 197 |
125
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 WHATCOM HOSPICE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how WHATCOM HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
239
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 day10.6 min
Ranks better than about 31% 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 weekends12.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 life91.9%
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 visits70.5%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 care9.7%
Ranks better than about 28% 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%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care5.2%
Ranks better than about 61% 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)95th 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$16,836 · 43rd 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 50.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life50.4%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke15%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Whatcom Hospice
Whatcom Hospice serves families in Bellingham, Washington. This provider offers end-of-life care and support services to those in their own homes or local care settings. They have been certified by Medicare since 2001. The team holds accreditation from the ACHC. This organization checks that programs meet high standards for safety and care delivery. Choosing an accredited provider means a group has passed a rigorous review of their daily operations. It is a sign of a strong commitment to quality.
Provider Details
Whatcom Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means they focus heavily on their mission to serve the local community. They have maintained their Medicare certification for over two decades. Their staff includes 68 registered nurses and three physicians. They also rely on 197 volunteers who offer extra support to families. That is a large group of people dedicated to helping patients. Their total staff count reaches 125 employees. These team members work together to meet the specific needs of each patient. Families should look for this type of team depth when they talk to providers. It shows they have the resources to handle many different situations that arise during hospice care.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Bellingham?
Hospice care in Bellingham centers on comfort and personal choice. Providers here help patients manage pain while staying in familiar surroundings. The goal is to improve the quality of each day for the patient. You will find that teams are typically made up of doctors, nurses, and social workers. Whatcom Hospice uses a large team of 68 registered nurses to provide this care. They also use volunteers to fill in the gaps for social needs. This model allows for a personal touch in every home visit. Most local hospice teams focus on keeping the patient comfortable and keeping the family informed. They want to make sure you know what to expect at every step. It is about clear communication and steady support for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team feels like a big decision. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You should ask about the specific training their staff members have for pain management. Ask how they support family caregivers who are tired or need a break. It is also good to know how they handle care on weekends or at night. Keep these questions written down before your first meeting. This helps you stay calm and focused on what your family needs most right now. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions clearly and with patience. They should want you to feel confident in the care they provide for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
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