HospiceScout

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH HOSPICE

Non-ProfitJoint Commission (JCAHO) AccreditedHospital

Provider Information

Address
950 N MERIDIAN ST, SUITE 700
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204
Ownership Type
Non-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
May 22, 1991

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)85
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)13
Physicians4

138

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 INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.

Short-term inpatient care
Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
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 2022.

Care Details from Medicare Data

Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

15.1 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

217

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 day15.1 min

    Ranks better than about 77% 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 life95.5%

    Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits40.8%

    Ranks better than about 66% 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 care13.3%

    Ranks better than about 12% 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 months17.7%

    Ranks better than about 90% 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 care3.8%

    Ranks better than about 68% 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 hospice1.3%

    Ranks better than about 47% 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)100th 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$8,011 · 5th 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 41.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening100%
  • Pain assessment99.9%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids99.9%
  • Visits in the last days of life41.2%
  • All care steps completed99.8%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer31%
  • Dementia10%
  • Heart and circulatory disease13%
  • Lung and respiratory disease15%
  • Stroke8%
  • Other conditions23%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

IU Health Hospice Care

Indiana University Health Hospice serves the Indianapolis area from their office on North Meridian Street. They provide comfort-focused care for families facing a serious illness. This team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes or at a facility. It is all about quality of life. The goal is to manage pain and support the whole family during a hard time. They have been a part of the local healthcare landscape for many years.

About INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH HOSPICE

This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since May 1991. That is over three decades of experience serving Marion County. Families should know that non-profit status often means more resources go directly back into patient care. Choosing a long-standing provider helps families feel secure. They have seen it all before. Their history suggests a deep commitment to the Indianapolis community. When you talk to them, ask how their non-profit status impacts your daily care plan. It is a fair question to ask.

Quality Performance Summary

IU Health Hospice holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating from CMS, including a 5/5 score for quality of care. While their patient satisfaction score is 3/5, their high clinical quality ratings show a strong track record for medical care and pain management.

Understanding Hospice Care in INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis offers several hospice choices, but finding the right fit is personal. Hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about how you live during that time. Most care happens where the patient lives. That could be a house, an apartment, or a nursing home. The team includes nurses, aides, and social workers. They visit on a regular schedule to check on symptoms. But they also offer emotional support for the family. The thing is, hospice is a team sport. You are the captain of that team. Always remember that you have the right to choose the provider that feels best for your loved one. Don't rush this decision if you have time to compare.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You need to be clear about what your family needs before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking these four questions. First, how quickly can a nurse get to my home if there is an emergency at night? You need to know that someone is always available. Second, what specific support do you offer for family caregivers? You will need breaks and guidance. Third, how do you handle pain management and medicine changes? You want a team that acts fast. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs to go to a hospital. Every provider has different rules for this. Write these answers down so you can compare them later. It helps to have a clear head when making these choices.

Preserve Your Family Stories

This time is difficult, but it is also a meaningful time to record the wisdom and stories of your loved ones. Creating a lasting record can bring comfort to your family for generations to come.

Start Preserving Memories

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

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.