OPTIMAL CARE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 600 E CARMEL DRIVE SUITE 144
CARMEL, IN 46032 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 30, 2022
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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) | 2 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
4
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 OPTIMAL CARE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how OPTIMAL CARE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 19th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
27
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 day9.4 min
Ranks better than about 19% 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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life92.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 visits67.1%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care9.5%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 months19%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 care9.5%
Ranks better than about 38% 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)52nd 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$20,690 · 64th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 73.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life73.6%
- All care steps completed97.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke29%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support at Home
Optimal Care Hospice serves families throughout Carmel, Indiana, and the surrounding Hamilton County area. They provide specialized end-of-life care designed to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. The team focuses on symptom relief and emotional support for both the patient and their loved ones. Choosing the right care provider is a deeply personal decision. That is why having a local team you can trust makes a world of difference during a difficult time. Their office is located conveniently on East Carmel Drive. This central location helps them reach families in the community quickly when needs arise.
About Optimal Care Hospice
Optimal Care Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have been Medicare certified since June 30, 2022. This certification means they meet the federal safety and quality standards required to care for Medicare patients. It is a big deal to find a team that has been vetted by federal programs. Families should know that being for-profit does not change the high standard of care they must follow. The thing is, all Medicare-certified providers follow the same core rules for patient care. You can expect a consistent level of service regardless of their tax status. They work hard to meet the needs of every family they serve in the Carmel area. Their consistent presence in the community shows a clear commitment to local care.
Understanding Hospice Care in Carmel
Hospice care in Indiana focuses on quality of life rather than curing an illness. The goal is to manage pain and provide peace for the patient. In Hamilton County, families have access to several high-quality choices for this specialized support. Most people do not realize that hospice can actually start much sooner than the final few days of life. Early hospice care helps the whole family adjust to new challenges. It brings nurses, social workers, and chaplains directly to your door. This prevents frequent trips to the hospital or emergency room. So, you get to spend more quality time together in the comfort of home. That is the true heart of hospice care. It is about making every single day count for the people you love the most.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right provider can feel like a heavy task. But you don't have to do it alone. Start by asking these simple questions to get the best fit for your family. First, ask how quickly their staff can get to your home in an emergency. You want to know they are ready when you need them most. Second, ask how they handle pain and symptom management at night or on weekends. Care should never stop just because it is a holiday or a Sunday. Third, ask how they involve the family in the plan of care. You know your loved one better than anyone else. A good team will always listen to your concerns and follow your lead. Take your time with these questions. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one receives.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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