Published February 2023. Updated March 2026.
Medicare-certified hospices are required to offer the same basic services, but there may be significant differences in how care is delivered and the level of support provided to patients and their loved ones. Here are five things you should consider when choosing a hospice provider:
Which standards do they follow to ensure quality care?
Some hospice providers hold themselves to higher quality standards than what Medicare requires. Is the hospice provider a member of the National Alliance for Care at Home (NACH), and do they comply with their Standards for Hospice Programs? Is the hospice provider accredited by an objective third party, such as the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP)? If so, this indicates a commitment to quality care beyond what Medicare requires. This can greatly affect your hospice experience.
Which services do they provide?
All Medicare-certified hospice providers are required to provide patients with expert medical care, emotional and spiritual support, medication, medical equipment and supplies, volunteer support, and bereavement care. However, some hospice providers — like Hospice of the Northwest — also provide specialized care for pediatric patients and Veterans. Thanks to the generosity of our community supporters, we also offer integrative services like aromatherapy, therapeutic music, and massage. Integrative services can provide deeper levels of comfort for patients, enhancing their quality of life.
What about the provider’s history and reputation?
How long has the provider served patients in your community? Does it hire its own employees to provide care, or does it contract with other agencies? What do other patients and families say about their experiences with this provider? Is the hospice owned privately (for-profit) or is it a not-for-profit? Medicare offers a useful resource for people to compare hospices in their area. Compiled by anonymous, third-party surveys, these quality indicators help people obtain a more objective assessment of what they might experience with a hospice provider.
How will the provider respond to urgent needs?
There are hospice providers that rely heavily on mail-order pharmacies, which can delay patient comfort. Can you use your preferred pharmacy — the one you have a relationship with and whose staff know your history and needs? Will you have to leave a voicemail when you call at 2 a.m., or do they ensure a professional will answer your call? Will a nurse or counselor come out in the middle of the night if symptoms worsen or someone needs extra support? Some hospice providers only have an on-call nurse working afterhours and on weekends. Others have a nurse on shift 24/7 with additional support available from a counselor on-call.
How does the hospice meet the unique needs of each patient and family?
Some hospice providers offer a more personalized approach to care. Is their team trained to support people from different cultural backgrounds? How do they care for people who don’t speak English or who have diverse religious traditions? Will they respect patients and their circles of support who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community? Is their team trained in trauma-informed care, recognizing how past experiences affect a person’s care needs? Is the organization committed to treating every patient and family with dignity and respect?
Choosing the right hospice provider can make a significant difference to the overall care a person receives. If you have questions about hospice or would like more information, please contact us using the form on this page or give us a call at 360-814-5550.