Denver Hospice the
A hospice in Denver, Colorado 80230
8289 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80230. (303) 321-2828.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 11 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 3of 5 family caregiver rating
- 10of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
11 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 15 hospices serving ZIP code 80230 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on Aug 21, 2025: a reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
11 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2025. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Aug 21, 2025: reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care11 deficiencies
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(6))
The inspectors’ words, 403 words
“Upon patient record review, 11 of 31 (Patient #1,2,5,9,11,12,15,16,17,18,22) did not have evidence in the patient record that a review was completed of all prescription and non-prescription medications, including herbal remedies that could affect drug therapy. This review includes, but is not limited to: • Effectiveness of drug therapy • Drug side effects • Actual or potential drug interactions • Duplicate drug therapy • Drug therapy currently associated with laboratory monitoring Patient #1 8/18/25-SN states “pt now on IV/SQ meds as pt is no longer able to swallow, no evidence that PO meds (Eliquis, Simvastatin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3) were discontinued on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #2 8/9/25 order for Gabapentin 300mg PO every other day x7 days then discharge remains on profile, no evidence that the order was discontinued on 8/17/25 per orders on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #5 6/6/25, Duplicate Tylenol orders with no evidence of one order being discontinued on the medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #9 7/3/25-Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325 1-2 tabs PO Q4-6 hours PRN, 4/4/25 Arthritis pain relief ER 650mg tab PO BID, with no evidence of “Not to Exceed “parameters on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #11 4/5/25, Hydrocortisone Cream, apply TID to “affected area”, no evidence of specific location to be applied on the medication profile. Corrected on Site. 3/12/25 Tylenol 650mg Q4 PRN and 7/6/25 Acetaminophen 325mg 2 tab PO QD, no evidence of “Not to exceed” parameters on medication profile. Corrected on site. Patient #12 2/7/23 Calciptriene Cream BID and 7/3/24 Triamcinolone Ointment q6 PRN with no evidence on either order of specific location for application on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #15 2/16/25 Capsaicin Cream apply QD with no evidence of specific location on medication profile. Corrected on Site. 6/14/25 Macrobid 100mg x7d remains on medication profile, no evidence it was discontinued after the 7 day order on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #16 7/10/25 Diclofenac Gel, apply TID and 8/8/25 Nystop Powder apply TID, no evidence of specific location on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #17 8/18/24, Lidocaine Ointment apply BID, no evidence of specific location on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #18 7/14/25 Sarna lotion for “itching” PRN and Chamosyn Cream applied PRN,no evidence of specific location on medication profile. Corrected on Site. Patient #22 Duplicate orders on 7/5/25 and 7/14/25 for Acetaminophen/Codeine 300/60mg Q6 PRN on medication profile. Corrected on site.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c))
The inspectors’ words, 94 words
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 31 (Patient #18) did not have evidence in the patient record that the hospice has developed an individualized written plan of care for each patient. The plan of care must reflect patient/family goals and interventions based on the problems identified in the initial, comprehensive, and updated comprehensive assessments. The plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions. Patient #18-SN 7/11/25 states visit for wound care, no evidence of wound care orders in place. Corrected on site.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(2))
The inspectors’ words, 109 words
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 31 (Patient #19 did not have evidence the plan of care must includes all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including the following: • A detailed statement of the scope and frequency of services necessary to meet the specific patient and family needs • The IDG demonstrates a proactive approach in developing each patient’s plan of care by planning ahead for anticipated patient changes and needs. Decisions should reflect the patient/family preferences rather than be solely a response to a crisis. Patient #19-Duplicate Aide visit frequency orders, 7/25/25 1-2x/week and 8/14/25 2-3x/week. Corrected on site.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
The inspectors’ words, 382 words
“Upon patient record review, 11 of 31 (Patient #1,2,5,9,11,12,15,16,17,18.22) did not have evidence the plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including medications and treatments. Patient #1 8/18/25-SN states “pt now on IV/SQ meds as pt is no longer able to swallow, no evidence that PO meds (Eliquis, Simvastatin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3) were discontinued on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #2 8/9/25 order for Gabapentin 300mg PO every other day x7 days then discharge remains on POC, no evidence that the order was discontinued on 8/17/25 per orders on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #5 6/6/25, Duplicate Tylenol orders with no evidence of one order being discontinued on the POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #9 7/3/25-Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325 1-2 tabs PO Q4-6 hours PRN, 4/4/25 Arthritis pain relief ER 650mg tab PO BID, with no evidence of “Not to Exceed “parameters on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #11 4/5/25, Hydrocortisone Cream, apply TID to “affected area”, no evidence of specific location to be applied on the POC. Corrected on Site. 3/12/25 Tylenol 650mg Q4 PRN and 7/6/25 Acetaminophen 325mg 2 tab PO QD, no evidence of “Not to exceed” parameters on POC. Corrected on site. Patient #12 2/7/23 Calciptriene Cream BID and 7/3/24 Triamcinolone Ointment q6 PRN with no evidence on either order of specific location for application on POC. Corrected on Site. Duplicate orders for 4% Lidocaine patch. 10/25/24 Lidocaine 4% patch to lower back 3x/day and 3/19/25 Lidocaine 4% patch to lower back daily. Corrected on Site. Patient #15 2/16/25 Capsaicin Cream apply QD with no evidence of specific location on POC. Corrected on Site. 6/14/25 Macrobid 100mg x7d remains on POC, no evidence it was discontinued after the 7 day order on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #16 7/10/25 Diclofenac Gel, apply TID and 8/8/25 Nystop Powder apply TID, no evidence of specific location on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #17 8/18/24, Lidocaine Ointment apply BID, no evidence of specific location on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #18 7/14/25 Sarna lotion for “itching” PRN and Chamosyn Cream applied PRN,no evidence of specific location on POC. Corrected on Site. Patient #22 Duplicate orders on 7/5/25 and 7/14/25 for Acetaminophen/Codeine 300/60mg Q6 PRN on POC. Corrected on site.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(5))
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 31 (Patient #5) did not have evidence the plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including equipment and supply needs. Patient #5-POC does not include DME of walker and wheelchair that patient utilizes for mobility. Corrected on Site.”
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Review of the plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(d))
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 31 (Patient #23) did not have evidence that a revised plan of care includes information from the patient’s updated comprehensive assessment and must note the patient’s progress towards outcome/goals from the plan of care. Patient #23, current POC still has goals and interventions for MSW, however the MSW was declined by family on 3/5/25 and there is no evidence the POC was updated. Corrected on Site.”
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Prevention (42 CFR 418.60(a))
“Upon home visit observation 1 of 6, there was no evidence the hospice follows acceptable standards of practice to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases, including standard precautions. Patient #2, during the visit with the Aide, she placed her personal bag on the countertop in the patients room without placing a barrier down per policy.”
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Supervision of hospice aides (42 CFR 418.76(h)(1))
The inspectors’ words, 117 words
“Upon patient record review 4 of 31 (Patient #9,17,20,22) did not have evidence documentation in the patient record that a Registered Nurse made an on-site visit to the patient’s home no less frequently than every 14 days to assess the quality of care and services provided by the hospice aide and to ensure that services ordered by the hospice interdisciplinary group meet the patient’s needs. Patient #9-No evidence of aide supervisory visit completed by due date of 8/13/25. Patient #17-No evidence of aide supervisory visit completed by due date of 8/4/25 Patient #20-No evidence of aide supervisory visit completed by due date of 7/15/25. Patient #22-No evidence of aide supervisory visit completed by due date of 8/7/25.”
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Recertification of the terminal illness (42 CFR 418.102(c))
The inspectors’ words, 96 words
“Upon client record review, 1 of 31 (Patient #27) did not have evidence that the physician provides a brief narrative explanation of the clinical findings that supports a life expectancy of 6 months or less as part of the recertification form, or as an addendum to the recertification form. Patient #27, CTI dated 7/10/2025 there is no evidence the physician provided a brief narrative explanation of the clinical findings that supports a life expectancy of 6 months or less as part of the recertification form, or as an addendum to the recertification form. Corrected on Site.”
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Authentication (42 CFR 418.104(b))
“Upon patient client record review, 1 of 31 (Patient #12) did not have evidence that all entries are legible, clear, complete, and appropriately authenticated and dated in accordance with the organizations policies and procedures and currently accepted standards of practice. Electronic signatures are acceptable as long the hospice is following appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the patient records. Patient #12-8/14/25 RN completed LPN supervisory visit, however no LPN visits on POC.”
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Discharge or transfer of care (42 CFR 418.104(e)(2))
“Upon client record review, 2 of 31 (Patient #25, 26) did not have evidence that if a patient revokes the election of hospice care or is discharged from hospice in accordance with §418.26, the hospice must forward to the patient’s attending physician: • A copy of the hospice discharge summary • The patient’s clinical record, if requested Patient #25, 26-No evidence the hospice agency forwarded a copy of the discharge summary to the patients attending physician.”
All 3 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2025 | Reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | 11 deficiencies cited |
| Jan 24, 2024 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Jan 24, 2024 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Jul 17, 1984.
- Ownership: non-profit.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 10.4 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 13.5% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 92.4% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 56% at home, 13% in assisted living, 26% in a nursing facility, 4% in an inpatient hospice.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 10.4 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 13.5% |
| Visits near death | 92.4% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Comfort Bridge runs it.
- 16 owners or officers are people: Nedra L. Downing (corporate director, 0%); Kerri Davis (corporate director, 0%); Elizabeth Moran (corporate director); Bradley Philip Baumgartner (corporate director); Rodney Rice (corporate director); Jeffrey Schaefer (corporate director); Nancy S Botiller (corporate director, 0%); Philip Reed (corporate director, 0%); Ben B Marchantonio (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Anthony L Giacomini (corporate director, 0%); Timothy Bowen (corporate officer); Kerry Mclaughlin (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Ben D Price (corporate director, 0%); Meera Mani (corporate director); Julienne L Bemski (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Adam J Bergquist (corporate director).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Bridge | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | 0% | Oct 1, 2014 |
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 3 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 81% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 84% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 10 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 99.69% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 50.8% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 10 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 15 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 80230, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 11.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Denver Hospice the This hospice | 11 |
| Brighton Hospice Colorado, LLC | 5 |
| Intermountain Health Hospice - Denver | 9 |
| Namaste Hospice | 0 |
| Gentiva | 26 |
| Bristol Hospice - Denver | 0 |
| Abode Hospice of Colorado | 5 |
| Elevation Hospice of Colorado | 7 |
| Berkley Palliative Care and Hospice, LLC | 22 |
| Mission Hospice and Palliative Care | 12 |
| Choice Hospice | 6 |
| Bloom Hospice | 1 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.