What Compassus is and how it fits into hospice care
Compassus is a for-profit hospice provider that operates locations across multiple states. It is one of several companies that deliver end-of-life care in people's homes, nursing facilities, and inpatient hospice units. Like other hospice providers, Compassus coordinates doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains to manage pain and symptoms when curative treatment is no longer the goal.
Compassus operates as a standalone company and also through partnerships with larger health systems. The organization is owned by private equity firms and has expanded significantly over the past decade. If you are considering hospice care, Compassus is one option among many — understanding how it works and what services it provides can help you compare it to other hospice providers in your area.
Hospice care itself is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans when a doctor certifies that a patient has six months or less to live. The hospice provider you choose handles the day-to-day care coordination, though your primary doctor and the hospice medical director work together on the care plan.
Key Takeaways
- Compassus is a for-profit hospice company with locations in multiple states, delivering care in homes, nursing facilities, and inpatient units.
- Hospice care through any provider, including Compassus, is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance when a doctor certifies a prognosis of six months or less.
- Compassus employs or contracts with doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and aides who visit regularly and are on call 24/7.
- The specific services and visit frequency available through Compassus depend on your location, insurance, and individual care needs.
- You can switch hospice providers at any time, so choosing Compassus is not a permanent commitment.
Services Compassus provides as part of hospice care
Compassus delivers the standard hospice services covered by insurance: nursing visits, doctor oversight, pain and symptom management, spiritual care, and bereavement support for family members after death. The frequency of nursing visits depends on your symptoms, location, and insurance coverage. Some patients receive daily visits; others receive visits several times a week.
Like other hospice providers, Compassus coordinates with your existing doctors and any specialists involved in your care. A Compassus medical director oversees the hospice plan, and nurses work with you and your family to adjust medications and comfort measures as needs change. The organization also provides medical equipment such as hospital beds, oxygen, and wound care supplies.
Compassus locations vary in the services they emphasize and the staff they employ directly versus contract. Some Compassus locations operate inpatient units where patients can stay for short-term crisis care or symptom management when home care becomes difficult. Others focus primarily on home-based care. Calling your local Compassus office can tell you what is available in your area.
How to learn about Compassus operates in your area
Compassus has locations in multiple states, but not everywhere. You can search for Compassus locations on their website by entering your zip code or city. The search will show you whether Compassus serves your area and provide contact information for the nearest office.
If Compassus does not operate near you, your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or local hospice referral service can suggest other providers. Medicare's Hospice Compare tool (available on Medicare.gov) lists all hospice providers in your area and allows you to compare their performance data, though the tool does not rate quality in a straightforward way.
When you call a Compassus office, ask whether they are currently taking new patients. Some hospice providers temporarily stop accepting referrals when they are at capacity. If Compassus is not available, your doctor can refer you to another provider, and the process of starting care is similar regardless of which company you choose.
How Compassus is paid and what it costs you
Hospice care is paid by insurance, not by the patient. Medicare covers hospice through the Medicare Hospice Benefit, which requires a doctor's certification that you have six months or less to live. Medicaid covers hospice in all states, though the specific services covered vary by state. Private insurance plans typically cover hospice as well, though the details depend on your plan.
When hospice is covered by insurance, you do not pay per visit or per service. Instead, the hospice provider receives a daily rate from your insurance. You may have a copay or coinsurance depending on your plan, but this is usually small or zero for hospice services. If you do not have insurance, Compassus and other hospice providers have financial information programs; you should ask about this when you call.
Compassus, like all hospice providers, is required to provide care regardless of ability to pay. If you are uninsured or underinsured, the hospice must work with you to find a way to deliver care. This may involve Medicaid, charity care, or other funding sources.
Differences between Compassus and other hospice providers
Compassus is a for-profit company, while some hospice providers are nonprofit organizations. This ownership structure can affect staffing levels, visit frequency, and the range of services offered, though it does not automatically mean one type is better than another. Some for-profit hospices provide excellent care; some nonprofit hospices have staffing challenges.
The most meaningful differences between hospice providers are usually local: which doctors work with them, how quickly they respond to urgent needs, whether they have an inpatient unit, and what staff turnover looks like. These details are hard to find online but become clear when you talk to the provider directly or ask your doctor about their experience.
You can also look at Medicare's Hospice Compare data, which shows each provider's performance on measures like patient and family satisfaction, pain management, and how often patients are admitted to the hospital during hospice care. This data is not perfect, but it can help you compare providers in your area.
How to start hospice care with Compassus
To start hospice care, your doctor must refer you to a hospice provider. This referral includes a certification that you have six months or less to live. You do not need to choose Compassus before the referral — your doctor can refer you to any provider, and you can then decide which one to use.
Once your doctor has referred you, you can contact Compassus directly to ask about their services and whether they serve your area. A Compassus intake coordinator will discuss your medical history, current symptoms, insurance, and where you want to receive care (home, nursing facility, or inpatient unit). They will also explain what to expect from the care team and answer questions about medications, equipment, and support services.
After intake, a Compassus nurse will visit to complete a full assessment and begin the care plan. This usually happens within 24 to 48 hours of the referral. From that point, the care team is on call 24/7, and you can reach someone by phone at any time if symptoms change or you have questions.
Switching hospice providers or stopping hospice care
You can change hospice providers at any time. If you start with Compassus and later decide you want to switch to another provider, you can ask your doctor to refer you to a different hospice. The new provider will coordinate with Compassus to transfer your medical records and equipment, and the transition usually happens within a day or two.
You can also stop hospice care at any time. If your condition improves or you decide you want to pursue curative treatment again, you can discharge from hospice. Your doctor will need to document this decision, and your insurance will stop covering hospice services. If you later need hospice again, your doctor can refer you again.
Some patients move between hospice providers because of location changes, dissatisfaction with care, or a desire to try a different approach. There is no penalty for switching, and hospice providers expect this to happen occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Compassus accept Medicare and Medicaid?
Yes. Compassus accepts Medicare through the Medicare Hospice Benefit and Medicaid in the states where it operates. Most Compassus locations also accept private insurance. When you call to ask about services in your area, ask which insurance plans they accept and whether they have financial information if you are uninsured.
Can I choose where I receive Compassus hospice care?
Most Compassus care is home-based, meaning the care team visits you at home and you remain there throughout hospice. Some Compassus locations also operate inpatient units for short-term stays when symptoms are hard to manage at home or when family caregivers need a break. Ask your local Compassus office what options are available in your area.
How often will a Compassus nurse visit?
Visit frequency depends on your symptoms, how close you are to the end of life, your insurance coverage, and what your care plan says. Some patients receive daily visits; others receive visits two or three times a week. The care team adjusts visit frequency as your needs change. You can also call the hospice 24/7 if symptoms worsen between visits.
What happens if I am not satisfied with Compassus care?
You can switch to another hospice provider at any time. If you have concerns about care quality, you can also file a complaint with your state's health department or with Medicare (if you are on Medicare). Your doctor can help you find another provider if you decide to make a change.
Does Compassus provide bereavement support after death?
Yes. Like all hospice providers, Compassus offers bereavement support to family members after the patient dies. This typically includes counseling, support groups, and written resources. The length and type of bereavement support vary by location, so ask about this when you contact Compassus.