UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 290 BLAIRS FERRY ROAD NE, SUITE 100
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52402 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 21, 1990
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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 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
11
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 UNITYPOINT 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
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how UNITYPOINT HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
34
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends9.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits37.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 months12.8%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care2.6%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice2.6%
Ranks better than about 30% 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)83rd 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$10,595 · 13th 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 73.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life73.7%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Other conditions27%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
UnityPoint Hospice in Cedar Rapids
UnityPoint Hospice serves the Cedar Rapids area from its office on Blairs Ferry Road. This freestanding hospice provider offers end of life support to people living in Linn County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1990. The agency holds accreditation from CHAP, which stands for the Community Health Accreditation Partner. This group checks that health organizations meet high standards for safety and service. Choosing an accredited provider means a team follows strict rules to keep care quality high. Their team includes five registered nurses who help manage patient needs. They work to provide comfort and care for those who need it most. It is a local option for families in Iowa looking for hospice support.
About UnityPoint Hospice
UnityPoint Hospice operates as a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus only on hospice care rather than being part of a larger nursing home. They have served the community for over thirty years. Accreditation from CHAP shows they choose to meet extra quality standards. This organization sends experts to review how a hospice agency operates its business. They look at how the staff manages pain and how they talk to families. Agencies that pass these checks show a clear commitment to their patients. This provider employs eleven people in total. While they have five nurses on staff, they do not currently have volunteers. Families should know that this mix of staff is typical for smaller agencies. It is smart to ask how their team handles visits after hours. Getting these details helps you plan for the care your loved one needs.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Cedar Rapids?
Hospice care in Cedar Rapids focuses on comfort rather than a cure. A team of nurses and aides visits the patient where they live. This could be a private house or an assisted living facility. They manage pain and other symptoms to keep the patient calm. Most agencies in this area provide support for the whole family, too. The team at this specific location includes five registered nurses. These professionals coordinate with doctors to ensure the care plan is correct. They handle medications, medical supplies, and equipment like hospital beds. Some agencies also bring in social workers to help with emotional needs. Hospice care is about quality of life. It allows people to spend their final days in a familiar setting. You should feel free to ask how quickly they can start service once a doctor refers you. Quick response times are often a sign of a well-organized team.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice agency can feel heavy, but clear questions help. Start by asking how they handle medical emergencies during the night or on weekends. You need to know that someone will answer the phone when you call. Ask about their staff-to-patient ratio so you know how much time they have for your loved one. Ask how the team communicates updates to the family. It is good to know if they provide visits from social workers or chaplains. Ask what happens if the patient needs a higher level of care for a short time. Some agencies have contracts with local hospitals or inpatient units. Finally, ask about the specific training their staff has for the patient’s condition. You want a team that feels confident in the care they provide. Never feel bad about asking these questions. You are doing your best to make a good choice for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of lessons and memories. We offer tools to help you capture these stories for future generations.
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