Verification Standards

A “Verified” badge on Top Hospice Care means we checked the hospice against official records. It cannot be bought, and we re-check it every month.

What every listing starts with

Every hospice in our directory begins as a basic profile built from public data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). That data includes the hospice’s name, address, phone, ownership type, Medicare ID (CCN) and certification date. A basic profile is not verified, and we say so on the profile.

What “Verified” means

Before we mark a hospice Verified, we confirm that:

1. The state license is active, checked with the state agency that licenses hospices (for example, the California Department of Public Health’s Cal Health Find). In states that do not issue a separate hospice license, we rely on Medicare certification and state survey records.
2. Medicare certification is current, matched by CCN against CMS data and Medicare Care Compare.
3. The hospice is not suspended or excluded under the public enforcement information we check.
4. The person who claimed the listing works for the hospice, confirmed through a work email and, when needed, a call to the hospice’s main number.

Monthly re-checks

We re-check the status of every Verified hospice each month and show the “Last verified” date on its profile. If a license is suspended or revoked, or Medicare certification ends, we remove the badge, unpublish the listing and end any paid plan.

Listings we hold for review

Some hospices in public data are held back from publishing until we review them, for example when many hospices share one small building or when no phone number is on record. Holding a listing is not an accusation. It means we need to confirm the details first.

Payment and independence

• Payment never buys a Verified badge, and verification is never sold separately.
• Featured listings and sponsored articles are paid and always labeled.
• We do not charge per lead or per patient, and we do not take part in patient referrals.

Report a problem

If you believe a listing is wrong, or you have concerns about a hospice, use the Report button on its profile or email [email protected]. To report suspected Medicare fraud, contact the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

Verification reflects the information available in official records on the date shown. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of the quality of care. Always talk with a hospice directly and check Medicare Care Compare.