DUNES HOSPICE LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 4711 EVANS AVENUE
VALPARAISO, IN 46383 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 9, 2015
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
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 DUNES HOSPICE 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how DUNES HOSPICE LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
17.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 89th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
201
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 day17.6 min
Ranks better than about 89% 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 weekends6.7%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 life94.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 visits9.8%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 care8.9%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 months29.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care12.7%
Ranks better than about 24% 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)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$11,697 · 17th 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 70.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment99.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life70.2%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia33%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About DUNES HOSPICE LLC
DUNES HOSPICE LLC operates as a freestanding hospice in Valparaiso, Indiana. They have provided care to local families since 2015. This provider holds accreditation from CHAP, which proves they meet high standards for medical care and safety. Accreditation shows they voluntarily invite outside experts to check their work. That is a clear sign of professional quality. They serve the Porter County area with a dedicated team. Finding the right support during a health crisis takes time. You deserve to know who is behind the care you choose. This provider serves a specific role in your community. They aim to support patients and their families during difficult times. Every hospice must follow strict federal rules to keep their license. This team works hard to meet those goals every day.
Understanding This Provider
DUNES HOSPICE LLC is a for-profit hospice agency. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly a decade. Their team includes three registered nurses and one physician. They also include one volunteer on their staff. That is a small, focused group of professionals. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on end-of-life care. They do not run a hospital or a nursing home at the same time. This focus can be a benefit for many families. CHAP accreditation confirms they follow best practices for patient safety and health management. You should look for this status when you talk to any agency. It means an outside group checked their records and their home visits. They passed those checks to show they are ready to help you. The agency is small but they have clear credentials for their work in Indiana.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in VALPARAISO?
Hospice care in Valparaiso brings medical support directly to your home. The goal is to manage pain and keep the patient comfortable. DUNES HOSPICE LLC uses a team approach to reach these goals. Their staff of three nurses and a doctor manage the medical side of care. They also use one volunteer to help with daily needs. This setup allows for personalized attention. You will find that hospice teams in this region work to keep families informed at each step. They handle the equipment and the medicine so you can focus on time together. Most families find that having professional help at home changes the entire experience. It removes the stress of managing complex medical tasks alone. You can ask them how they coordinate with your primary doctor in Porter County. Good communication is the key to a smooth experience for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly they can visit your home after a referral. Quick response times matter when you are in pain. Ask who will be your main contact for daily questions. You need to know who to call at night or on the weekends. It is also wise to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Some agencies have more experience with certain conditions than others. Ask them how they handle emergencies if they happen late at night. Do they have a nurse on call for you? Finally, ask how they support family members who are also grieving. A good hospice team cares for the whole family, not just the patient. Write these questions down before your meeting. Bring a friend or family member along to help you listen to the answers.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be saved for future generations. You can record their memories and wisdom in a simple, private way.
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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
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Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
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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.