Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc
Roanoke, VA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 491527)
CMS process measure: 97.18 (state average 96.57 — at state average)
Serves: 48 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (540) 989-6265 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Gentle Shepherd Hospice holds a 5-star CAHPS family caregiver rating, with 95% of surveyed caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it. Its CMS composite process score of 97.18 is at the Virginia state average of 96.57.
Gentle Shepherd Hospice serves 48 ZIP codes from its Roanoke, Virginia office in Botetourt County.
Yes, Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc is Medicare-certified (CCN 491527, since 1995); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc is a for-profit hospice based in Roanoke, Virginia, serving families in Botetourt County and the surrounding area. It has been Medicare-certified since May 17, 1995.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave Gentle Shepherd Hospice a 5-star rating. Ninety-five percent of surveyed caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 90% rated the overall care a 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. These figures reflect the experiences of the families who completed the survey and are published by CMS.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice delivers a bundle of recommended care processes, Gentle Shepherd Hospice scored 97.18, compared to a Virginia state average of 96.57 — CMS classifies this as at the state average. A related care index score of 8 is also reported by CMS, along with a figure showing 33.3% of patients received visits in the last days of life, according to the same dataset.
Gentle Shepherd Hospice's service area covers 48 ZIP codes from its Roanoke office.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data and may reflect a specific reporting period; families are encouraged to confirm the most current figures directly on Care Compare.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes, Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc has been Medicare-certified since May 17, 1995 (CCN 491527), 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 CAHPS Hospice Survey reported on CMS Care Compare, this hospice earned a 5-star rating, with 95% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it and 90% rating overall care 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Its CMS composite process score is 97.18, compared to Virginia's state average of 96.57 — CMS classifies this as at the state average.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
It serves 48 ZIP codes from its Roanoke, Virginia office in Botetourt County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 48 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc is a for-profit hospice; ownership type does not by itself indicate quality, but CMS publishes it as part of the provider record.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since May 17, 1995.
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 with a life-limiting illness who have chosen to stop curative treatment, typically with a prognosis of six months or less.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care from curing an illness to comfort and quality of life; it does not mean giving up care, and patients can still receive medical attention for symptom relief and support.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
This is not detailed in the CMS data provided; please contact Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc at (540) 989-6265 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 Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc at (540) 989-6265 for details and verify the listing on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction scores, how a hospice's quality measures compare to state averages, and its service area — all of which are reported here from CMS Care Compare data; you may also want to ask the hospice directly about services and staffing by calling (540) 989-6265.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/491527?state=VA to confirm current CMS-reported figures.
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.