NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4751 HARRISON AVENUE
ROCKFORD, IL 61108 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 16, 1988
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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) | 23 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
65
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 NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSPICE 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 48th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
127
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 day12.1 min
Ranks better than about 48% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life94.4%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 visits60.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care8%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 months33.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care11.5%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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$14,558 · 31st 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 67.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.1%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.0%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.3%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Northern Illinois Hospice
Northern Illinois Hospice serves the Rockford area from its location on Harrison Avenue. This non-profit organization provides end-of-life care for patients in Winnebago County. They have offered these services to the community since 1988. The group holds accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet high standards for health and safety. Their team works to support patients and their loved ones during a difficult time. They are a freestanding hospice provider that focuses on care at home or in other settings. You can reach their office at (815) 398-0500 if you have questions about their programs. It is a long-standing local option for families in need of support.
Provider Background
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare for over thirty-five years. Being a non-profit means their primary goal is serving the community rather than making a profit. The Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail for families to know. This group sends experts to check the hospice for safety and quality. They look at how staff treat patients and how they keep records. When a hospice meets these standards, it often means they follow strict rules for medical care. The team includes 23 registered nurses, 2 licensed practical nurses, and 1 physician. These professionals work together to manage pain and comfort. Having a large nursing staff helps them respond to patient needs. That is a clear sign of their commitment to care.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Rockford?
Hospice care in Rockford focuses on comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. The team visits patients where they live. This could be a private house or a nursing home. A doctor oversees the care plan. Registered nurses and other staff members visit to check on symptoms. They help manage pain and keep the patient clean and safe. The goal is to improve quality of life for everyone involved. Some people think hospice is only for the final days, but it can last for months. You should ask about their specific team in Rockford. They employ 65 total staff members to support local families. This includes a mix of medical and support roles. Having enough staff is vital for good care. They aim to keep patients comfortable in their own beds.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking how many nurses they have on staff. You can also ask how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. It is smart to ask how they manage pain for their patients. Ask if they provide help for the family members who are grieving. Do they have volunteers who can sit with the patient? You should also ask about their accreditation status and recent quality scores. Getting clear answers helps you make the right choice. Take your time to talk with the staff. Write your questions down before you call them. This keeps the talk focused on what matters most.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories worth keeping safe for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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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.