Lower Columbia Hospice
Astoria, OR · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 381520)
CMS process measure: 97.01 (state average 96.16 — at state average)
Serves: 12 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (503) 338-6230 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Family caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a 5-star rating in the CMS CAHPS survey, with 90% saying they would definitely recommend it. Its CMS composite process score of 97.01 is at the Oregon state average of 96.16.
Lower Columbia Hospice serves 12 ZIP codes from its Astoria, Oregon office in Clatsop County.
Yes, Lower Columbia Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 381520, since 1991); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Lower Columbia Hospice is a non-profit hospice provider based in Astoria, Oregon, serving families in Clatsop County. The hospice has been Medicare-certified since May 29, 1991, meaning it has been enrolled in the Medicare hospice benefit program for over three decades.
According to CMS Care Compare survey data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave Lower Columbia Hospice an overall rating of 5 stars. Ninety percent of surveyed caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 86 percent rated their experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice performs key care processes, Lower Columbia Hospice scored 97.01, compared to the Oregon state average of 96.16 — CMS categorizes this as at the state average. CMS also reports that visits occurred in the last days of life for 35.9 percent of patients, per the published data.
Lower Columbia Hospice's service area, as reflected in CMS data, spans 12 ZIP codes centered around its Astoria office.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries. All figures cited here come from CMS Care Compare data; families are encouraged to check the Care Compare website directly for the most current figures, as CMS updates this data periodically.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes, Lower Columbia Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 381520) since May 29, 1991, and the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for patients who are eligible and certified by a doctor.
What do family caregivers say about this hospice in the CMS survey?
CMS's CAHPS survey data shows a 5-star family caregiver rating, with 90% saying they would definitely recommend Lower Columbia Hospice and 86% rating their experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Lower Columbia Hospice's composite process score is 97.01, compared to Oregon's state average of 96.16, which CMS categorizes as at the state average.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
According to CMS data, Lower Columbia Hospice serves 12 ZIP codes from its Astoria, Oregon location in Clatsop County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 12 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Lower Columbia Hospice is a non-profit organization; ownership type can be a factor families weigh, but CMS quality measures apply regardless of ownership structure.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
Lower Columbia Hospice has been Medicare-certified since May 29, 1991.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of a serious illness, while hospice care focuses on comfort rather than cure when a patient has a life-limiting illness, typically with a prognosis of six months or less.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care to comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment for the terminal illness, but it does not mean giving up all care or support.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The CMS data provided does not specify care settings for Lower Columbia Hospice; please contact the hospice at (503) 338-6230 or verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
To start hospice care with Lower Columbia Hospice, contact them directly at (503) 338-6230 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 how care is coordinated; contacting Lower Columbia Hospice at (503) 338-6230 can help answer questions specific to their services.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can verify Lower Columbia Hospice's current CMS data and ratings at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/381520?state=OR.
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.