VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1340 SOUTH DAMEN AVENUE, STE A
CHICAGO, IL 60608 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 14, 1994
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 17 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
27
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS compares to hospices nationwide.
13.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 67th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
138
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day13.9 min
Ranks better than about 67% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends13.4%
Ranks better than about 84% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life89%
Ranks better than about 28% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits71.6%
Ranks better than about 23% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care10.2%
Ranks better than about 25% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months26.6%
Ranks better than about 77% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care15.3%
Ranks better than about 16% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice2.8%
Ranks better than about 28% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)85th percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$19,837 · 60th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 67.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.1%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening96.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed98%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.2%
- All care steps completed94.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia4%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke35%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Chicago
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Illinois serves families across the Chicago area from their office on South Damen Avenue. They provide specialized hospice care for people facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes or in care facilities. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 1994. That is30 years of experience in the local community. They focus on managing pain and helping families find peace during difficult times. The goal is always to improve quality of life for the patient. You can reach their team at (312) 997-7200 to discuss your specific needs. They are a well-known name in the hospice field. Finding the right support can make a huge difference for your loved one. It is about having the right hands to hold during the final chapter of life.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Illinois
VITAS operates as an 'Other' ownership type, which is common for many large hospice providers. They have maintained their Medicare certification for three decades, showing a long-standing commitment to federal standards. What most people do not realize is that Medicare certification means they must follow strict rules for care quality. This provides a baseline of safety for the families they serve. The Chicago office is located in Cook County. Being in such a busy area means they are likely used to coordinating care in a fast-paced city environment. The thing is, choosing a provider is a very personal decision. You should look at how they communicate with your family. Do they answer your questions clearly? Are they available when you need them most? Their longevity suggests they have processes in place to handle complex care needs. That is a big deal when you are caring for a loved one.
Quality Performance Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in Chicago
Chicago is home to many hospice providers, giving families several options for end-of-life care. The city's medical landscape is vast. You can find providers that range from small non-profits to large national corporations like VITAS. The key is finding a team that matches your family's values. Most providers in Cook County offer nursing, social work, and chaplain services. Some also include volunteers to sit with patients. You should know that all Medicare-certified hospices must cover the same basic costs. This includes medical equipment, medications for comfort, and visits from the care team. But the way they deliver that care changes from one office to the next. Some are very high-tech. Others focus more on spiritual or emotional support. So, take your time to look at the differences. Do not feel rushed to pick the first one you find. Your comfort is the priority here.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask hard questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know if they have staff on call 24/7. It is also smart to ask about their patient-to-nurse ratio. A smaller ratio often means more time for your loved one. Ask them how they handle pain management specifically. Do they have a doctor who specializes in comfort care? And finally, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a vital part of what hospice does. Do not be afraid to ask for examples of how they helped other families in your situation. If they seem hesitant to answer, that is a red flag. You deserve a team that is open and honest. Trust your gut feeling after you speak with them.
Preserve Your Family Legacy
Every life has a story worth keeping. During this time, capturing memories can bring comfort to everyone involved. Start preserving your family history today to ensure those stories live on for the next generation.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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