CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - ALBIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 4 SOUTH MAIN STREET
ALBIA, IA 52531 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 16, 2009
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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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
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 CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - ALBIA 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - ALBIA compares to hospices nationwide.
9.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 21st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
47
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 day9.6 min
Ranks better than about 21% 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 life92%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 visits83%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 care4.3%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 months51.8%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 care2.2%
Ranks better than about 77% 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)74th 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$13,712 · 27th 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 64% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life64%
- All care steps completed98.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care Initiatives Hospice in Albia
Care Initiatives Hospice serves families in Albia, Iowa, from their office on South Main Street. This team provides comfort-focused care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. They work to manage pain and support the emotional needs of those they serve. Choosing hospice is a big step for any family. This local provider offers a dedicated team to help you navigate these difficult days. They focus on dignity and quality of life for every patient in their care. The staff understands the local community and the unique needs of families in Monroe County. Their goal is to ensure that your loved one stays comfortable while surrounded by the people they cherish most. It is about making every moment count when time feels short. You can reach their team directly at (641) 932-3488 to learn more about how they can help your specific situation.
About Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia
This provider has been Medicare certified since September 16, 2009. That is over a decade of experience serving the Albia area. They operate under an 'other' ownership structure, which is common for many hospice agencies in Iowa. When you look for a hospice, you want a team with a long history of meeting federal standards. Medicare certification means they follow strict rules to protect patient safety. What most people don't realize is that these agencies must pass regular check-ups to keep their status. This gives families a baseline of trust when they start their search. The team in Albia is part of a larger network, but they maintain a local presence to stay connected to the community. You should always feel free to ask about their specific staff and how they handle after-hours calls. Getting clear answers early helps you feel more at peace with your decision.
Understanding Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Albia
Hospice is not a place you go, but a type of care you get at home. In a town like Albia, this usually means nurses and aides come to your house. They bring the equipment and medicine you need to stay comfortable. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. Hospice is most effective when the team has time to build a relationship with the patient. It is not just for the final days or weeks. You can start these services much earlier to improve your loved one's daily quality of life. And the best part is that Medicare covers these services for most people. The team handles the logistics so you can focus on being a family member instead of a caregiver. If you live in Monroe County, you have access to these vital resources right in your own neighborhood.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Here are a few questions to ask the team:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if there is an emergency?
- What specific training does your staff have for handling complex pain?
- How do you support family members who are grieving?
- Can you tell me how you handle the lower satisfaction scores on your survey?
Preserve Your Family's History
Your family has stories that deserve to be remembered forever. We provide a simple way to record these memories and hold onto the wisdom of your loved ones during this time.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.