Whatcom Hospice
Bellingham, WA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 501537)
CMS process measure: 99.85 (state average 98.45 — above state average)
Serves: 20 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (360) 733-5877 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Whatcom Hospice received a 4-star rating from family caregivers in the CMS CAHPS survey, with 92% saying they would definitely recommend it. Its CMS composite process score of 99.85 is above the Washington state average of 98.45.
Whatcom Hospice serves 20 ZIP codes from its Bellingham, Washington office in Whatcom County.
Yes, Whatcom Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 501537, since 2001); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Whatcom Hospice is a for-profit hospice based in Bellingham, Washington, serving Whatcom County. It has been Medicare-certified since July 24, 2001, meaning it has met Medicare's health and safety standards for over two decades. Care is available to families across 20 ZIP codes near its Bellingham office.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave Whatcom Hospice an overall rating of 4 stars. Among those surveyed, 92% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 86% rated their overall experience of care 9 or 10 out of 10. These figures reflect the experiences reported by caregivers of patients who received care, as published by CMS.
On CMS's composite process measure, which looks at how consistently core hospice care processes were delivered, Whatcom Hospice scored 99.85, which is above the Washington state average of 98.45. CMS also reports a care index score of 10 and notes that visits occurred in the last days of life for 50.4% of patients, based on published CMS metrics.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility; no additional cost information is provided here. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data as supplied. If any measure is not mentioned, CMS has not published it for this hospice, which is often the result of small patient counts rather than an indication of quality.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from Whatcom Hospice?
Yes, Whatcom Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 501537) since July 24, 2001, 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?
In the CMS CAHPS survey, Whatcom Hospice received a 4-star rating, with 92% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it and 86% rating their overall experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Whatcom Hospice's composite process score is 99.85, which is above the Washington state average of 98.45, according to CMS Care Compare data.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
Whatcom Hospice serves 20 ZIP codes from its Bellingham, Washington office in Whatcom County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 20 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Whatcom Hospice is organized as a for-profit hospice; ownership type does not directly determine quality, but CMS reports it alongside quality measures for transparency.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
Whatcom Hospice has been Medicare-certified since July 24, 2001.
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 those with a life-limiting illness who are no longer pursuing curative treatment.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
No; hospice means shifting the focus of care to comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than curing the illness, and patients can still receive treatment for other conditions.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify care settings; please contact Whatcom Hospice at (360) 733-5877 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not describe the admission process; please contact Whatcom Hospice at (360) 733-5877 to learn how to begin care.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction scores, how care processes compare to state averages, and service area coverage — all of which are addressed here using CMS data; for further specifics, contact Whatcom Hospice at (360) 733-5877.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can verify Whatcom Hospice's certification and quality data directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/501537?state=WA.
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.