WHATCOM HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2800 DOUGLAS AVE, SUITE 1-C
BELLINGHAM, WA 98225 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 24, 2001
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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 August 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 discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life50.4%
- All care steps completed99.8%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About WHATCOM HOSPICE
WHATCOM HOSPICE serves families in Bellingham, Washington. This freestanding hospice provider has offered care since 2001. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks standards to ensure providers follow high safety rules. You can find their office on Douglas Avenue. They focus on providing support to those with serious health needs. It is a for-profit organization. Their team includes many staff members ready to assist you. They strive to maintain high standards for all patients in their care.
Provider Background
WHATCOM HOSPICE operates as a for-profit, freestanding hospice center. They have been certified by Medicare for over two decades. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care means they meet specific national quality standards. This process involves a review of their clinical care and business rules. It helps ensure they keep up with health regulations. The team consists of 125 employees. This includes 68 registered nurses and 3 physicians. They also work with 197 volunteers. Having a large volunteer group shows a strong link to the community. These volunteers often spend time with families to provide extra comfort. Their structure allows them to manage patient needs with a clear focus on the medical and personal side of care.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in BELLINGHAM?
Hospice care in Bellingham focuses on comfort and dignity during a serious illness. Providers here work to manage pain and symptoms. They aim to help families stay in their own homes whenever possible. The staff at WHATCOM HOSPICE includes a mix of medical experts. With 68 registered nurses on staff, they have the capacity to handle complex health needs. Physicians and volunteers also play a big part in the daily care plan. The goal is to provide peace of mind for everyone involved. They treat the whole person rather than just the disease. Families can expect regular visits from the medical team to adjust care as needs change. This local approach helps keep patients close to their loved ones in the community. It is a common way to manage care in Washington.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should gather information before making a choice for your family. Start by asking about how they handle pain management and emergencies. You need to know how fast a nurse can reach your home. Ask how the team communicates with your regular doctor. It is also good to ask how they support family members with grief. Ask them about their volunteer program and how those people help. You might also ask if they have experience with your specific diagnosis. Simple questions help you understand the level of service they offer. Write these down before your first meeting. This keeps you focused during a stressful time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. You can record memories and stories to keep them safe for future generations during this time.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
EDEN HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF SPOKANE
JEFFERSON HEALTHCARE HOME HEALTH
ASSURED HOSPICE
PROVIDENCE AT HOME WITH COMPASSUS, PUGET SOUND SOUTH
HEARTLINKS
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.