MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE METROPOLIS
Provider Information
- Address
- 704 E 5TH ST, STE 5
METROPOLIS, IL 62960 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 4, 1992
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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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
11
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 MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE METROPOLIS reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
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 MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE METROPOLIS compares to hospices nationwide.
17.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 88th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
22
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 day17.1 min
Ranks better than about 88% 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 weekends10.5%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 life93.5%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 visits63.7%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care28.6%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 months32.1%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 care7.1%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)91st 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$12,029 · 19th 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 68.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment95.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.6%
- Visits in the last days of life68.8%
- All care steps completed97.5%
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%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease11%
- Lung and respiratory disease19%
- Stroke16%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Metropolis
Mercy Health Hospice Metropolis serves families throughout Massac County. They offer end-of-life support focused on comfort and dignity for your loved ones. Their team works right out of their office on East 5th Street. Choosing the right hospice is a heavy task, but you are not doing it alone. This team provides care that centers on the needs of the patient and their family. They understand the local community and the specific needs of families in Illinois. Their goal is to make sure every patient feels seen and heard during their final months. It is about more than just medicine. It is about honoring the person behind the diagnosis every single day.
About Mercy Health Hospice Metropolis
This provider has been Medicare certified since May 1992. That is over thirty years of serving this region. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure, which is common for many hospice agencies. What does this mean for you? It means they must follow strict federal rules to keep their certification. They have a long history in the Metropolis area, which helps them build deep ties with local doctors and hospitals. When you look into a provider, longevity often shows stability. They have been through many changes in healthcare over the decades. Yet, they remain focused on their core mission of support. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific experience with your loved one’s condition. Transparency is a sign of a strong agency.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Metropolis
Hospice care is a special way to treat patients with a life-limiting illness. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on quality of life rather than a cure. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. You do not need to wait until the final days to start these services. In Illinois, hospice teams include nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains. They visit your home or facility to manage pain and help with daily chores. And they offer emotional support for the whole family, not just the patient. That is a big deal when you are feeling overwhelmed. Using these services early can change the entire experience for everyone involved. It allows you to spend more time just being a family member.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask hard questions. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that someone is always available. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific doctor who leads that care. Third, ask what kind of support they provide for family members after a loss. Grief support is a vital part of hospice care. And finally, ask how they work with your current doctors to keep everyone on the same page. Do not feel rushed during these talks. A good provider will take the time to answer every single question you have. If they seem annoyed or hurried, that is a red flag. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them.
Preserve Your Family Stories
During this time, the stories and wisdom of your loved ones are more precious than ever. We can help you capture these memories to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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BLESSING HOSPICE
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SERENITY HOSPICE AND HOME
HEARTLAND HOSPICE (FRANKFORT)
COMPASSUS-CHICAGO
Helpful Guides for Families
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.