Good Shepherd Community Care
Newton, MA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 221500)
CMS process measure: 99.85 (state average 95.51 — above state average)
Serves: 119 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (617) 969-6130 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Good Shepherd Community Care received a 3-star family caregiver rating on the CMS CAHPS survey, with 89% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it. Its composite process-of-care score of 99.85 is above the Massachusetts state average of 95.51.
Good Shepherd Community Care serves 119 ZIP codes from its Newton, Massachusetts office in Middlesex County.
Yes, Good Shepherd Community Care is Medicare-certified (CCN 221500), since 1984, and the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Good Shepherd Community Care is a non-profit hospice based in Newton, Massachusetts, serving families in Middlesex County and the surrounding area. It has been Medicare-certified since October 1, 1984 (CCN 221500), meaning it has provided care under the Medicare hospice benefit for decades.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave Good Shepherd Community Care an overall rating of 3 stars. Among those surveyed, 89% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 82% rated their experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
On CMS's composite process-of-care measure, which reflects how consistently core hospice care processes were delivered, Good Shepherd Community Care scored 99.85, which is above the Massachusetts state average of 95.51. CMS also reports a care index score of 9 and notes that visits occurred in the last days of life for 83.7% of patients, based on the data CMS has published.
Good Shepherd Community Care's service area, as reflected in CMS data, spans 119 ZIP codes, indicating a broad reach from its Newton office.
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; families are encouraged to review the source directly and contact the hospice for any details not captured in this profile.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes, Good Shepherd Community Care is Medicare-certified (CCN 221500) since October 1, 1984, 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 Hospice Survey, family caregivers gave this hospice 3 stars overall, with 89% saying they would definitely recommend it and 82% 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-of-care score is 99.85, which is above the Massachusetts state average of 95.51, and CMS reports visits occurred in the last days of life for 83.7% of patients.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
According to CMS data, Good Shepherd Community Care serves 119 ZIP codes from its Newton, Massachusetts office in Middlesex County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 119 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Good Shepherd Community Care is a non-profit hospice; ownership type can reflect organizational structure and mission but does not by itself determine quality of care.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since October 1, 1984.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of illness to relieve symptoms, while hospice care focuses on comfort for those with a terminal diagnosis who have chosen to stop curative treatment.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means focusing on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment for the terminal illness, but it does not mean giving up care or support—it is a shift in the goals of care.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The CMS data provided does not specify care settings for this hospice; please contact Good Shepherd Community Care at (617) 969-6130 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
To start hospice care, contact Good Shepherd Community Care directly at (617) 969-6130 and verify current information on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction ratings, quality measure scores, service area, and staffing; you can review this hospice's published CMS figures and contact them at (617) 969-6130 for further details.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Good Shepherd Community Care directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/221500?state=MA to confirm current CMS data.
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.