Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc
Fort Smith, AR · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 041502)
CMS process measure: 52 (state average 97.84 — below state average)
Serves: 21 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (479) 783-5550 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
CMS has not published CAHPS family caregiver survey results for this hospice, so no star rating or percent-recommend figure is available. On the CMS composite process measure, it scored 52.00, below the Arkansas state average of 97.84.
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc serves 21 ZIP codes from its Fort Smith, AR office in Sebastian County.
Yes, Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc is Medicare-certified (CCN 041502, since 1986); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc is a non-profit hospice based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving families in Sebastian County and surrounding areas. According to CMS Care Compare data, it has been Medicare-certified since January 24, 1986, meaning it has provided hospice services under the Medicare hospice benefit for decades.
CMS has not published CAHPS family caregiver survey results (star rating, percent who would definitely recommend, or percent rating the hospice 9-10) for this hospice in the current Care Compare dataset. This absence often reflects a small number of surveyed patients rather than any indication of quality, and families should not read anything negative into it.
On the CMS composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice completes recommended care processes, this hospice scored 52.00, compared to a state average of 97.84 in Arkansas — placing it below the state average on this measure. CMS also reports a care index score of 7 and notes that visits occurred in the last days of life for 35.2 percent of patients, according to the most recent published data.
The hospice's service area, as recorded by CMS, spans 21 ZIP codes from its Fort Smith office.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data and may be updated periodically; families are encouraged to verify current details directly on Care Compare.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc is Medicare-certified (CCN 041502) since January 24, 1986, 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?
CMS has not published CAHPS family caregiver survey results (star rating or percent recommend) for this hospice, often due to a small number of surveyed patients; this does not indicate poor quality.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
On the CMS composite process measure, this hospice scored 52.00, compared to the Arkansas state average of 97.84 — below the state average. CMS also reports a care index score of 7 and that 35.2% of patients received visits in the last days of life.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
This hospice serves 21 ZIP codes from its Fort Smith, Arkansas office in Sebastian County, according to CMS data.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 21 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
This hospice is organized as a non-profit. Ownership type does not directly determine quality, but families may want to weigh it alongside CMS quality measures.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
This hospice has been Medicare-certified since January 24, 1986.
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 rather than cure and is typically for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
No. Choosing hospice means shifting the focus to comfort and quality of life rather than pursuing curative treatment for the terminal illness; patients can still receive treatment for unrelated conditions.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify care settings for this hospice; please contact Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc at (479) 783-5550 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
To start hospice care, contact Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc directly at (479) 783-5550 and verify current information on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about CMS quality measures, service area, staffing, and how care is delivered; contact Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc at (479) 783-5550 for specifics not covered in CMS data.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can verify this hospice's current CMS data at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/041502?state=AR.
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.