SOUTHERNCARE SOUTH BEND
Provider Information
- Address
- 3600 N BRIARWOOD LN
MUNCIE, IN 47304 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 2, 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 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) | 31 |
| Physicians | 10 |
| Volunteers | 23 |
86
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 SOUTHERNCARE SOUTH BEND 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SOUTHERNCARE SOUTH BEND compares to hospices nationwide.
12.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 54th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
244
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 day12.6 min
Ranks better than about 54% 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 weekends7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits28.9%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 months46.1%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care9.8%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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$18,185 · 52nd 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 65.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.9%
- Pain assessment99.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.4%
- Visits in the last days of life65.8%
- All care steps completed96.8%
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%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease35%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support at SouthernCare South Bend
SouthernCare South Bend provides hospice care to families in Mishawaka, Indiana. Located at 1626 E Day Rd in St. Joseph County, they focus on comfort and dignity. Their team helps patients manage pain and symptoms during a difficult time. They offer support for the whole family, not just the patient. Whether you live in Mishawaka or nearby, they are ready to help. Hospice is about making every day count. That is a big deal when you are caring for a loved one. The team works to keep patients in their own homes whenever possible. They bring care to you. It is personal, focused, and kind. If you need help, this team is a local resource right in your backyard. They have been serving the area for over two decades now.
About SouthernCare South Bend
SouthernCare South Bend is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been Medicare certified since September 2, 2003. That is over 20 years of experience in the community. When you look for hospice, you want a team that knows the ropes. Experience matters. Medicare certification means they follow federal rules for quality and care. This keeps the bar high for everyone. You should know that for-profit status does not change the requirement for great care. They still must meet the same federal standards as any other agency. The thing is, choosing a provider is a very personal choice for your family. You need to feel comfortable with the team coming into your home. Take your time to talk with them. Ask about their local staff and their daily routine. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one gets.
Quality Rating Spotlight
Understanding Hospice Care in Mishawaka
Hospice is a special type of care. It focuses on comfort rather than a cure. In Mishawaka, families have several options to choose from when they need this support. Most hospice care happens right where the patient lives. This could be a private house, an apartment, or even a nursing home. The goal is simple. It is about keeping the patient pain-free and surrounded by family. You might think hospice is only for the very end of life. But it is actually meant to help for months if needed. Start the conversation early. It gives the team more time to build a bond with your loved one. That bond makes a huge difference when things get tough. Don't wait until a crisis hits. Reach out early to see what support is available in St. Joseph County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team feels overwhelming. Keep these questions in mind to make it easier. First, ask how quickly they can respond to an urgent call at night or on the weekend. You need to know help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms. Every patient is different, and their plan should be too. Third, ask how they support the family members. Do they offer counseling or help with daily tasks? You will need support, too. Finally, ask if they have staff who live and work in the Mishawaka area. Having a local team means they can get to your house much faster. These four questions will help you see if a provider is the right fit for your family's needs.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is hard, but it is also a chance to share memories. Preserve your family history and wisdom for future generations to cherish forever.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.