VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1340 SOUTH DAMEN AVENUE, STE A
CHICAGO, IL 60608 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- 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 August 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 That code may be out of date.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 screening96.0%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening96.0%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.0%
- Treatment preferences discussed97.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.0%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.2%
- All care steps completed94.8%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About VITAS Healthcare in Chicago
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Illinois serves the Chicago area from its office on South Damen Avenue. This freestanding hospice provider offers end of life care for patients in Cook County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1994. The provider maintains accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks that the agency meets high national standards for hospice services. Such accreditation shows a commitment to following strict safety and quality rules. Families in Chicago can look to this provider for care that follows federal guidelines. The team includes 17 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. One physician is also on staff to help oversee medical care. Their goal is to provide medical support and comfort for those facing a terminal illness. That is the main focus of their work in the community.
About VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
This hospice is a for-profit organization. Being for-profit means they operate under different financial structures than non-profit groups. They have served the area for decades as a Medicare-certified provider. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews their operations to ensure they meet quality benchmarks. This process is important because it offers an outside look at how the agency performs. Families should know that this provider employs 27 staff members in total. These workers handle everything from daily nursing tasks to medical oversight by a doctor. You can look at the CMS Hospice Care Index to see how they perform on specific quality measures. They currently hold strong marks for their quality of care. It is a good idea to compare these findings with other local options. Understanding these facts helps you make a choice that fits your needs.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in CHICAGO?
Hospice care in Chicago focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team works to manage pain and symptoms for patients at home or in a facility. This care includes support for both the patient and their loved ones. A team of nurses, doctors, and aides visits the patient to provide regular check-ins. This agency uses a team of 17 registered nurses to manage daily care needs. They also have a physician on staff to guide medical decisions for each patient. Most programs offer help with bathing, dressing, and emotional support. The staff works around the clock to ensure someone is available if an emergency happens. You should expect a plan that changes as the patient needs more or less help. It is about making the patient as comfortable as possible. Every day matters in this setting.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the team that will care for your loved one. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. Ask about the experience of the staff and how they handle pain management. You might also ask how they support family members who are grieving. It is also wise to ask how often the doctor will see the patient. Do not be afraid to ask these questions during your first meeting. A good hospice team will be happy to answer everything clearly. They want you to feel secure with your choice. Keep notes on what they say so you can compare your options later. Take your time with this process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
During this time, capturing memories can be a gift for future generations. Learn how to record and keep your family history safe.
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