ESSENCE OF LIFE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 606 39TH AVE BOX 333
AMANA, IA 52203 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 20, 2007
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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) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
14
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 ESSENCE OF LIFE HOSPICE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ESSENCE OF LIFE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 37th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
61
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 day11.1 min
Ranks better than about 37% 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 weekends5.8%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 life94.2%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 visits20%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 care2.9%
Ranks better than about 74% 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%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care1.5%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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$10,210 · 11th 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 71.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.3%
- Pain assessment99.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment82.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.2%
- Visits in the last days of life71.5%
- All care steps completed87.9%
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%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About ESSENCE OF LIFE HOSPICE
ESSENCE OF LIFE HOSPICE provides end of life care for families in Amana, Iowa. They have served the community since 2007 as a freestanding hospice agency. This organization focuses on comfort and support for patients during their final months of life. They work directly with patients and their families to manage symptoms. It is a local option for those who need professional care in the Iowa County area. They are a Medicare certified provider. This means they meet federal standards for health and safety. Choosing a provider is a major step. Families want to find a team that fits their specific needs. This agency offers a clear history of service in the region.
Agency Details
ESSENCE OF LIFE HOSPICE operates under an other ownership structure. They have maintained Medicare certification for over 17 years. This long tenure shows they have met government rules for a long time. These rules cover everything from staff training to patient rights. Families should know that certification is a baseline for quality. It ensures the provider follows strict guidelines. The agency maintains a small team of 14 employees. This includes 5 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse. They also have 1 physician on staff to oversee care plans. Having a physician involved helps ensure medical needs are addressed quickly. This team size allows for direct communication. You can reach them at 319-622-3195 to ask questions about their services. They are located on 39th Avenue in Amana. It is a quiet place for care. Checking these details helps you understand how the agency is built and who will be helping your loved one each day.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in AMANA?
Hospice care in Amana focuses on comfort for the patient. It is not about curing an illness but about quality of life. The team visits the patient wherever they call home. This might be a private house or an assisted living facility. The staff manages pain and other difficult symptoms. They also offer emotional support to the family members. At this agency, the team includes nurses and a physician. These professionals work together to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. They listen to the needs of the family. You can expect regular visits from the staff. They help with medical equipment and medications. The goal is to make each day easier. You should feel free to ask the team about their specific schedule. They are there to help you handle the daily challenges of caregiving. It is a team effort every step of the way.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with several providers before you decide. Start by asking how quickly they can start care once a referral is made. It is helpful to know their response time during nights or weekends. Ask about how they handle pain management for their patients. You should also ask how the staff will keep you informed about your loved one. Ask if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one has. This helps you understand their expertise. Do they provide extra support like volunteers or spiritual care? These services can make a big difference for your family. Ask how they coordinate with the patient’s regular doctor. This ensures everyone is on the same page. Write your questions down before you call. This keeps the conversation focused. Good communication is the foundation of a strong care plan.
Keep Your Family Memories Safe
During this time, your family stories are more important than ever. We offer simple ways to record and save your loved one's history for the future.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning today.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.
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.