HILLCREST HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1702 WEST BROADWAY, SUITE 7
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51501 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 9, 2021
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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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
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 HILLCREST 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HILLCREST HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
19.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 94th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
43
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 day19.3 min
Ranks better than about 94% 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 weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 life93.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits54.1%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 months27.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 care3.9%
Ranks better than about 68% 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)81st 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$10,766 · 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 52.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life52.2%
- All care steps completed99.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions39%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in Council Bluffs
Hillcrest Hospice serves families in Council Bluffs, Iowa, from their office on West Broadway. They provide end-of-life care meant to keep loved ones comfortable and supported in their own homes. The team focuses on managing pain and helping families navigate the emotional challenges of a serious illness. Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about honoring a person's wishes and making every day count. Whether you need help with daily tasks or complex symptom control, this team works to bring peace to your living room. They have been certified by Medicare since April 2021. That means they meet strict federal standards for the care they provide to the community. When you choose a local partner like Hillcrest, you are choosing a team that knows the area well. This local connection can make a big difference when you need help fast.
About Hillcrest Hospice
Hillcrest Hospice operates as a for-profit organization in Pottawattamie County. Being for-profit does not change the core mission of care, but it does mean they manage their resources in a private business model. They have maintained their Medicare certification since 2021. This certification is a big deal because it ensures they follow specific rules for safety and quality. Families should know that hospice care is a benefit covered by Medicare, meaning most people pay little to nothing for these services. The thing is, not all agencies are the same. Some focus more on medical care while others emphasize spiritual support or grief counseling. You should always ask how a specific provider handles after-hours calls or weekend needs. Getting these answers early helps you feel more confident in your choice. It is your right to pick the provider that fits your family's specific needs best.
Quality Ratings Overview
Understanding Hospice Care in Council Bluffs
Hospice care in Iowa is designed to support the whole family, not just the patient. In Council Bluffs, you have access to a variety of resources that can help during this time. The goal is to provide comfort, dignity, and support. Most people don't realize that hospice can be provided anywhere a person calls home. This includes private houses, assisted living centers, or nursing homes. You do not have to wait until the very last days to start these services. In fact, many families find that starting sooner makes a huge difference in the patient's quality of life. The team usually includes nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains. They all work together to ease the burden on you. Don't be afraid to ask for help early on. Getting the right team in place now can save you a lot of stress later.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting the right hospice provider is a major step. It is okay to interview more than one company to see who feels like a good match. Start by asking how they handle emergencies in the middle of the night. You want to know that a nurse is available to help you when you need it most. Also, ask how often a nurse will visit the home. Is it based on a set schedule or do they visit when symptoms change? That is a vital distinction to make. You should also ask what kind of support they offer to the family after a loss. Many providers offer grief counseling for months afterward. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. A team that has seen your situation before can offer better advice. Trust your gut feeling during these talks.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved ones have stories that deserve to be remembered. During this time, capturing those memories can be a meaningful way to honor their life and legacy for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
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.