Care Central Vna & Hospice
Gardner, MA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 221529)
CMS process measure: 99.72 (state average 95.51 — above state average)
Serves: 84 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (978) 632-1230 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Care Central VNA & Hospice has a 4-star CAHPS family caregiver rating, with 90% of families saying they would definitely recommend it. Its CMS composite process score of 99.72 is above the Massachusetts state average of 95.51.
Care Central VNA & Hospice serves 84 ZIP codes from its Gardner, Massachusetts office in Worcester County.
Yes, Care Central VNA & Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 221529, since 1991); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Care Central VNA & Hospice is a non-profit hospice based in Gardner, Massachusetts (Worcester County), Medicare-certified since July 9, 1991 (CCN 221529). The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients whose doctor certifies their eligibility; no cost figures beyond that are addressed here.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave this hospice a 4-star rating. Of those surveyed, 90% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to family and friends, and 87% rated their overall experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects how consistently core hospice care processes were delivered, this hospice scored 99.72, compared with a Massachusetts state average of 95.51 — placing it above the state average. CMS also reports a care index score of 9 and notes that 53.9% of patients had visits in the last days of life, per the available data vintage.
Care Central VNA & Hospice reports serving 84 ZIP codes from its Gardner office. All figures in this profile are drawn directly from CMS Care Compare data; where a measure is not listed here, CMS has not published it for this hospice, which is often simply due to small patient counts rather than any indication of quality.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Care Central VNA & Hospice has been Medicare-certified since July 9, 1991 (CCN 221529), 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's CAHPS survey data shows a 4-star rating, with 90% of family caregivers saying they would definitely recommend this hospice and 87% 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 99.72, above the Massachusetts state average of 95.51. CMS also lists a care index score of 9 and reports 53.9% of patients had visits in the last days of life.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
This hospice serves 84 ZIP codes from its office in Gardner, Massachusetts, in Worcester County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 84 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Care Central VNA & Hospice is a non-profit organization; ownership type is disclosed by CMS but families should weigh it alongside quality and survey data rather than assume it alone predicts care quality.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since July 9, 1991, over three decades.
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 generally for those with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
No. Hospice shifts the focus from curing an illness to comfort and quality of life; it does not mean giving up all care, and patients can still receive treatment for pain and other symptoms.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify care settings; please contact the hospice at (978) 632-1230 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not describe the enrollment process; please contact the hospice at (978) 632-1230 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about services offered, staffing, how care needs are met, and survey ratings; contact the hospice at (978) 632-1230 for specifics not covered by CMS data.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Care Central VNA & Hospice directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/221529?state=MA 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.