West River Hospice
Needham, MA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 221604)
CMS process measure: 65.33 (state average 95.51 — below state average)
Serves: 76 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (781) 707-9524 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
CMS survey data shows 84% of family caregivers said they would definitely recommend West River Hospice, and 86% rated their experience 9 or 10 out of 10. On CMS's composite process measure, the hospice scored 65.33, below the Massachusetts state average of 95.51.
West River Hospice serves 76 ZIP codes from its office in Needham, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County, according to CMS Care Compare data.
Yes, West River Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 221604, since 2017); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
West River Hospice is a for-profit hospice located in Needham, Massachusetts, serving families in Norfolk County and surrounding areas. According to CMS Care Compare data, West River Hospice has been Medicare-certified since August 29, 2017.
In the CMS CAHPS family caregiver survey, 84% of surveyed caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 86% rated their overall experience with the hospice between 9 and 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a star rating for this hospice in the data provided, which can happen when patient counts are small; this is not an indication of poor quality.
On the CMS composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice completed a defined set of care processes, West River Hospice scored 65.33, compared to a Massachusetts state average of 95.51 — placing it below the state average on this particular measure. CMS also reports a care index score of 6 for this hospice, and notes that 29.6% of patients received visits from hospice staff in the final days of life, based on the most recent published data.
West River Hospice's service area, as reported to CMS, spans 76 ZIP codes. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for patients who qualify; no additional cost information is provided here. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data and reflect the vintage published by CMS at the time of this listing. Families are encouraged to review the source data directly and contact the hospice with specific questions.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. West River Hospice is Medicare-certified under CCN 221604, certified since August 29, 2017, and the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for patients who qualify.
What do family caregivers say about this hospice in the CMS survey?
In the CMS CAHPS survey, 84% of family caregivers said they would definitely recommend West River Hospice, and 86% rated their overall experience 9 or 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a star rating for this hospice in the available data.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
West River Hospice's composite process score is 65.33, compared to a Massachusetts state average of 95.51 — below the state average on this measure, per CMS Care Compare.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
According to CMS data, West River Hospice serves 76 ZIP codes from its Needham, Massachusetts office in Norfolk County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 76 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
West River Hospice is a for-profit hospice, per CMS records. Ownership type alone does not determine quality of care; CMS survey and process measures offer additional context.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
West River Hospice has been Medicare-certified since August 29, 2017, according to CMS records.
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 focuses on comfort for people who have stopped seeking a cure and typically have a life expectancy of six months or less.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the goal of care toward comfort rather than curing an illness; it does not mean giving up care — patients continue to receive medical attention focused on symptom relief and quality of life.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The CMS data provided does not specify where West River Hospice delivers care. Please contact the hospice at (781) 707-9524 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not describe the intake process. Please contact West River Hospice directly at (781) 707-9524 for guidance, and verify certification details on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about CAHPS survey results, how a hospice's quality measures compare to state averages, the ZIP codes served, and how long a hospice has been Medicare-certified — all of which are available for West River Hospice on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review West River Hospice's official CMS profile, including CCN 221604, at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/221604?state=MA.
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.