10 Questions to Ask Any Utah Hospice Agency
Before you commit to a provider

Print this list and bring it to every intake conversation. The quality of a provider’s answers — not just their brochure — will tell you what you need to know.

1. 1
   “How quickly will you respond if we call in the middle of the night?”

   Why it matters: A vague answer like “as soon as possible” is a red flag. Top agencies have a guaranteed response window. Look for a specific commitment — like within 3 rings or under 30 minutes for a nurse callback.
2. 2
   “Will my loved one have a consistent, assigned nurse?”

   Why it matters: Rotating staff means starting over with a new face on every visit. Continuity of care is directly tied to patient comfort and family trust. High turnover is a warning sign about staff satisfaction at that agency.
3. 3
   “Are you certified through Medicare, and can I verify this?”

   Why it matters: All reputable agencies are Medicare-certified and will have zero hesitation pointing you to their listing on Medicare.gov Care Compare. Any hesitation is a serious concern.
4. 4
   “How do you handle pain management and symptom control?”

   Why it matters: This is the core of hospice. A quality agency should describe their specific protocols and their philosophy around comfort-focused care. Listen for clinical specificity, not generic reassurances.
5. 5
   “What does a typical visit actually look like?”

   Why it matters: You want to understand who comes (nurse? aide? chaplain?), how long they stay, and how often. The answer reveals whether care is standardized and thoughtful, or rushed and checkbox-driven.
6. 6
   “What support is available specifically for family members and caregivers?”

   Why it matters: Hospice is not just for the patient. Caregiver burnout is real. Ask specifically about respite care, social worker access, chaplain services, and whether a dedicated caregiver support program exists.

7. 7
   “What happens if our care needs change or increase?”

   Why it matters: Hospice needs can escalate quickly. A strong agency has clear protocols for increasing care intensity, including inpatient hospice arrangements and continuous home care options. You should never be left figuring this out in a crisis.
8. 8
   “Who owns and operates this agency?”

   Why it matters: There is a meaningful difference between a locally owned, community-invested agency and a national chain that views your region as a revenue center. Local ownership usually means more responsive leadership and stronger community accountability.
9. 9
   “How do you communicate with our family physician?”

   Why it matters: Hospice care should be coordinated — not siloed. Ask whether the agency proactively communicates with your loved one’s existing doctors. Fragmented communication leads to care gaps that fall on your family to manage.
10. 10
    “What do your Google reviews say, and can you share recent family feedback?”

    Why it matters: Don’t rely on testimonials from the agency’s own website. Ask them to point you to their Google Business profile. A high volume of recent, detailed reviews from real families is the single best predictor of what your experience will actually be like.

This guide is provided as a free public resource by HospiceUtah.com — an independent hospice comparison service for Utah families. No endorsement of any specific provider is implied by these questions.