HEARTLAND HOSPICE (ROCKFORD)
Provider Information
- Address
- 6000 E STATE STREET, STE 1
ROCKFORD, IL 61108 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 20, 2004
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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) | 18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 20 |
54
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 HEARTLAND HOSPICE (ROCKFORD) 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
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- 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 2009.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEARTLAND HOSPICE (ROCKFORD) compares to hospices nationwide.
10.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
163
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 day10.5 min
Ranks better than about 31% 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 weekends8.5%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 life94.1%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 visits52.1%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 months47.3%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 care13.7%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 hospice5.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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)67th 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$23,029 · 74th 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 78.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.3%
- Pain assessment98.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.6%
- All care steps completed95.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke43%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heartland Hospice in Rockford
Heartland Hospice serves the Rockford area from their office on East State Street. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients and their families. This team helps manage pain and supports emotional needs during a very difficult time. Choosing the right partner for hospice care matters a lot. Heartland has been a Medicare-certified provider since September 2004. That is two decades of experience serving the Winnebago County community. They operate as a for-profit organization. Families often look for this kind of track record when making tough decisions. It provides a sense of stability. You deserve to know who is caring for your loved one. Heartland staff works to ensure that patients stay comfortable in their own homes or care facilities. They are ready to answer your questions about what hospice truly means for your daily life.
About Heartland Hospice (Rockford)
Heartland Hospice operates as a for-profit provider in Rockford. They have held Medicare certification for nearly twenty years. That history shows they follow federal rules for patient care. The agency currently holds a 4.5 out of 5-star overall rating from Medicare. That is a strong score. It reflects their commitment to quality clinical care. You should know that this rating comes from the Hospice Care Index. It measures things like how well they manage pain and help with breathing issues. But remember that numbers only tell part of the story. The agency also received a 3 out of 5-star rating for patient satisfaction. This score comes from surveys filled out by families. It shows there is room to improve how they communicate and support family needs. Always look at these ratings as a starting point for your own research.
Quality Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Rockford
Finding local hospice care in Winnebago County can feel overwhelming. You have several choices in the Rockford area. Most agencies offer similar services like nursing visits, social work, and chaplain support. But the culture of each team feels different. Some teams are small and local. Others are part of large national networks. Heartland is one of the larger options available to you. The goal of any hospice is to shift focus from curing a disease to living well. It is about quality of life. That said, not every agency will be the perfect fit for your specific situation. You might prefer a team that visits more often. Or perhaps you need someone who specializes in a specific illness. Spend time talking to a few providers. Trust your gut feeling after you meet the staff. You are picking a partner for a very personal journey.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more in control. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is vital. You should also ask who will be on your core care team. Will you see the same nurse every week? Consistency builds trust. Ask how they handle difficult symptoms like pain or anxiety at night. Do they have a plan for weekends? Also, ask how they support family caregivers. Do they offer respite care so you can take a break? Finally, ask them to share their recent survey results. A good agency will be open about their strengths and their weaknesses. If they seem defensive, that is a red flag. Take your time to get clear answers. You deserve to feel confident in your final choice.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories to share. Preserving these stories is a beautiful way to honor their journey and keep their spirit close to your heart forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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