Lower Cape Fear Lifecare
Wilmington, NC · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 341515)
CMS process measure: 99.82 (state average 97.95 — above state average)
Serves: 122 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (910) 796-7900 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare has a 5-star CAHPS rating from family caregivers, with 94% saying they would definitely recommend it. Its CMS composite process score of 99.82 is above the North Carolina state average of 97.95.
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare serves 122 ZIP codes from its Wilmington, North Carolina office in New Hanover County.
Yes, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is Medicare-certified (CCN 341515, since 1987); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is a non-profit hospice based in Wilmington, North Carolina, serving families in New Hanover County and the surrounding region. The hospice has been Medicare-certified since April 24, 1987 (CCN 341515).
According to CMS Care Compare survey data, family caregivers gave Lower Cape Fear Lifecare a 5-star CAHPS rating. Among those surveyed, 94% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 91% rated their overall experience 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. These figures reflect the experiences reported by family caregivers of patients who received care from this hospice.
On CMS's composite process measure — which reflects how consistently a hospice completes a bundle of recommended care processes — Lower Cape Fear Lifecare scored 99.82, above the North Carolina state average of 97.95. CMS also publishes a care index score of 10 for this hospice, and reports that visits occurred in the last days of life for 66.2% of patients, per the published data.
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare's service area, as listed by CMS, covers 122 ZIP codes. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a physician certifies eligibility; no cost information beyond that is provided here.
All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data. Families should verify current details directly with CMS or the hospice.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is Medicare-certified (CCN 341515) since April 24, 1987, and the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
What do family caregivers say about this hospice in the CMS survey?
Family caregivers gave Lower Cape Fear Lifecare a 5-star CAHPS rating, with 94% saying they would definitely recommend it and 91% rating their experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Its composite process score is 99.82, above the North Carolina state average of 97.95. CMS also reports a care index score of 10 and visits in the last days of life for 66.2% of patients.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
According to CMS data, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare serves 122 ZIP codes from its Wilmington, North Carolina office in New Hanover County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 122 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is a non-profit hospice. Ownership type can affect organizational priorities, but CMS quality measures reported above give a more direct picture of care experiences.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since April 24, 1987.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative treatment, while hospice care is for patients who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment, typically when a doctor certifies a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its expected course.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care to comfort and quality of life rather than curing the underlying illness; patients can still receive medical treatment aimed at managing pain and symptoms.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify care settings for this hospice; contact Lower Cape Fear Lifecare at (910) 796-7900 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not describe intake steps; contact Lower Cape Fear Lifecare at (910) 796-7900 for information on starting care.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction ratings, quality measure scores, service area, and how care needs will be met; contact Lower Cape Fear Lifecare at (910) 796-7900 to ask these directly.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Lower Cape Fear Lifecare (CCN 341515) at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/341515?state=NC to confirm current ratings and details.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Jul2026 refresh). Survey results are reported by family caregivers through the official CAHPS Hospice Survey; CMS publishes them only above response-count thresholds. Always verify current details with the hospice and Medicare before arranging care.