Healthcare Insights
Which U.S. states have the most hospice organizations?
What is a hospice organization?
A hospice organization provides compassionate care for patients nearing the end of life, focusing on comfort, dignity, and symptom management. These organizations play a crucial role in supporting patients and their families, helping them navigate the final stages of terminal illnesses. Hospice services may include medical care, pain management, emotional support, and spiritual guidance.
Hospice vs. palliative care
Hospice care is for patients who are expected to have six months or less to live. It focuses on comfort, not cure, and often includes care in the patient’s home or a specialized facility. Palliative care, by contrast, can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and may include treatments aimed at improving quality of life while continuing to treat the illness.
At Definitive Healthcare, we leverage data to deliver critical insights into the U.S. healthcare market, including hospice organizations. Using data from our LongTermCareView product, we’ve compiled a list of the U.S. states with the most and least number of hospice organizations.
How many hospice organizations are there in the U.S.?
According to our data, there are 8,514 active hospice organizations in the U.S. These organizations operate in various settings, from small rural communities to large metropolitan areas, ensuring patients from all walks of life can access essential end-of-life care.
The distribution of hospice organizations across the U.S. varies greatly. Some states, due to their large populations or healthcare infrastructure, have significantly more hospice organizations than others. Using our data, we’ve pulled a list of states with the most hospice organizations.
| Rank | State | Number of active hospice organizations | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CA | 2005 | Explore |
| 2 | TX | 1124 | Explore |
| 3 | GA | 299 | Explore |
| 4 | OH | 285 | Explore |
| 5 | AZ | 267 | Explore |
| 6 | PA | 250 | Explore |
| 7 | MI | 235 | Explore |
| 8 | MO | 200 | Explore |
| 9 | FL | 198 | Explore |
| 10 | NC | 185 | Explore |
Fig. 1. Data is from the Definitive Healthcare LongTermCareView product. Data accessed September 2024.
Which states have the most hospice organizations?
California leads the nation with 2,005 hospice organizations. With a population of 38.89 million, this represents approximately 5.16 hospice organizations per 100,000 residents. The large elderly population and extensive healthcare infrastructure contribute to the demand for hospice services.
Texas comes in second for the state with the most hospice organizations with 1,124. Its population of 30.98 million means there are about 3.63 hospices per 100,000 people. As one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S., Texas faces increasing demand for healthcare services, including hospice care, particularly in urban areas like Houston and Dallas.
Georgia has 299 hospice organizations, serving a population of 11.15 million, or about 2.68 hospices per 100,000 people.
| Rank | State | Number of active hospice organizations | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AK | 6 | Explore |
| 2 | DC | 6 | Explore |
| 3 | DE | 12 | Explore |
| 4 | HI | 12 | Explore |
| 5 | RI | 15 | Explore |
| 6 | VT | 15 | Explore |
| 7 | ND | 16 | Explore |
| 8 | SD | 23 | Explore |
| 9 | WY | 23 | Explore |
| 10 | NH | 34 | Explore |
Fig. 2. Data is from the Definitive Healthcare LongTermCareView product. Data accessed September 2024.
Which states have the fewest hospice organizations?
Several states, primarily due to smaller populations or geographical challenges, have relatively few hospice organizations. Alaska has the fewest hospice organizations in the country, with only six hospices serving a population of approximately 733,000, or 0.82 hospices per 100,000 people. The state’s vast geographic spread and small population contribute to this low ratio, making it challenging for residents in remote areas to access hospice care.
Though a district, Washington D.C. also has just six hospice organizations, tying with Alaska for the area with the fewest active hospices.
Delaware and Hawaii are tied for the state with the second-fewest number of hospice organizations. Each has 12 hospice organizations, while Rhode Island and Vermont have 15 respectively.
Hospice organizations by state
Fig. 3. Data is from the Definitive Healthcare LongTermCareView platform. Data accessed September 2024.
Where are the largest hospice organizations located?
Hospice organizations are essential to the healthcare system in every state, providing critical services to those in need of end-of-life care. However, the availability of these services varies depending on the state’s population, healthcare infrastructure, and geographic characteristics.
In states like California and Texas, the large number of hospice organizations aligns with the high demand driven by their large and aging populations. In contrast, smaller states like Alaska have fewer hospice organizations, reflecting its smaller, more dispersed population.
How to use hospice metrics for your commercialization strategy
For companies targeting hospice organizations, understanding the distribution of these providers across states is essential for tailoring your commercialization strategy. States with a high number of hospice organizations, like California and Texas, may represent significant opportunities for partnerships or sales, but there may also be a risk of over-saturation in the market. Conversely, states with fewer hospice providers may have less competition but also lower demand.
Hospice metrics, such as the number of organizations per capita, can also offer insights into the healthcare market's maturity and potential growth areas. States with lower hospice organization densities may be underserved, providing opportunities for companies offering products or services that improve hospice care access or quality.
Learn more
Hospice organizations are critical to the U.S. healthcare system and provide compassionate end-of-life care to millions of Americans. At Definitive Healthcare, we offer in-depth healthcare commercial intelligence to help organizations understand and navigate the hospice, home health, and broader healthcare market. To gain access to comprehensive data and insights that can fuel your healthcare strategy, start a free trial today and explore the latest in hospice and healthcare commercial intelligence.
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