UNITY HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST INDIANA LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 3313 EAST 83RD PLACE
MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 13, 2003
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
19
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 UNITY HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST INDIANA LLC 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 UNITY HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST INDIANA LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
12.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
64
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 day12.2 min
Ranks better than about 50% 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 weekends5.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 life91.5%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 visits44.7%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care14.5%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 months25.8%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care6.5%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 hospice4.8%
Ranks better than about 12% 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)90th 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$9,220 · 8th 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 52% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment98.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.5%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life52%
- All care steps completed97.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease19%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Unity Hospice of Northwest Indiana
Unity Hospice of Northwest Indiana provides hospice care services to families in Merrillville and the surrounding Lake County area. They have served the region since 2003. This freestanding hospice team focuses on helping patients and their families manage end of life care with professional support. Their office is at 3313 East 83rd Place in Merrillville. They offer a range of services designed to address medical and comfort needs for those under their care.
About Unity Hospice of Northwest Indiana LLC
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have held Medicare certification for over two decades. This certification status means they meet federal rules for hospice care delivery. Families should know that the provider maintains a team of 19 employees. This includes eight registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. Two physicians also work with the team. Having a consistent medical staff helps ensure that care plans stay updated as patient needs change. They are a freestanding hospice. This means they are not part of a hospital system. They handle their own operations and staffing directly. Understanding these facts helps you see how they manage their daily care routine for patients in the Lake County area.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Merrillville?
Hospice care in Merrillville focuses on comfort and dignity for patients with serious illnesses. The goal is to provide relief from symptoms. Teams often include nurses, social workers, and doctors who visit patients wherever they call home. In this area, care teams work to keep patients comfortable and supported. Unity Hospice uses a staff of nineteen people to manage these needs. This includes eight registered nurses and two practical nurses who provide daily care. They also have two physicians on the team. These professionals coordinate with the family to create a plan that fits the patient. The service brings medical equipment and medicine directly to the home. This setup allows for care in a familiar space. It helps families spend more time together without the stress of frequent travel to a clinic or hospital for routine checkups.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency. You should also ask how the team coordinates with your current primary doctor. It is useful to know how they handle after-hours calls. Ask about the specific services they provide for pain management and emotional support. Finally, ask how they involve the family in making daily care decisions. Having clear answers helps you understand what to expect. It keeps everyone on the same page. You deserve to know how the team will support your loved one every day. Take your time to get these answers before you make a final decision for your family.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to share with future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide 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.