CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - CEDAR RAPIDS
Provider Information
- Address
- 3720 QUEEN COURT SW, SUITE 9
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52404 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 20, 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 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 |
20
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 - CEDAR RAPIDS 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 - CEDAR RAPIDS compares to hospices nationwide.
15.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 78th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
24
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 day15.3 min
Ranks better than about 78% 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 weekends10.1%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 life94.8%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 visits38.7%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care4.6%
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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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$10,874 · 14th 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 79.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.3%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life79.5%
- All care steps completed96.7%
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%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care Initiatives Hospice in Cedar Rapids
Care Initiatives Hospice serves families across the Cedar Rapids area from their office on Queen Court. They provide hospice care for those with life-limiting illnesses. This provider holds accreditation from CHAP. That means an outside group checked their work to ensure they meet high standards. They have been certified by Medicare since September 2009. Their team works to support patients and their loved ones during difficult times. They focus on comfort and dignity for every person they serve in Linn County.
About Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Rapids
This is a non-profit hospice provider. Being non-profit often means the focus stays on patient care rather than profits. They maintain a high standing in the official government quality reports. They earned top marks for both their general performance and the quality of care they provide to patients. The CHAP accreditation they hold is a rigorous process. It requires the agency to show they follow strict rules for safety and care delivery. Families should know that this provider has a long history of serving the local community. They have been active in the Cedar Rapids area for over a decade. Their team includes 20 employees who work together to meet patient needs. This includes a dedicated group of 8 registered nurses. These nurses handle the clinical side of care while other staff members provide support. Choosing a provider with these strong quality marks helps families feel more confident about the care their loved ones will receive at home or in a facility.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Cedar Rapids?
Hospice care in Iowa focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. Most families choose to receive care where they live. Care Initiatives Hospice uses a team approach to manage symptoms and pain. Their staff of 8 registered nurses plays a major role in this. These nurses visit patients to check on their health and adjust care plans as needed. They coordinate with doctors to make sure medications and equipment are ready. The team also includes other support staff who help with daily tasks and emotional needs. That is how they provide a complete circle of care. Many people do not realize that hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about making sure each day is as comfortable as possible. The goal is to spend time with family rather than in a hospital bed. This local team works hard to keep that goal within reach for everyone they support in the Linn County area.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel comfortable with the people who will care for your loved one. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask how the team manages pain and other symptoms. You also want to know how often a nurse will visit your home. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers. Ask them how they handle questions or concerns after hours. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one needs a higher level of care that cannot be managed at home. You deserve clear answers to these questions. Write down your answers so you can compare your options. This helps you make a choice that fits your family needs. Take your time to get the information you need before you decide on a provider.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
SUNCREST HOSPICE
HOSPICE COMPASSUS - NORTHEAST IOWA
UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
ST. ANTHONY REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME
HOSPICE OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE
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