MERCYONE DES MOINES HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 500 SW 7TH ST STE 104
DES MOINES, IA 50319 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 16, 1986
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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 | 31 |
23
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 MERCYONE DES MOINES 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how MERCYONE DES MOINES HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
18.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 92nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
35
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 day18.7 min
Ranks better than about 92% 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 weekends11.6%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 life97.5%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits32.7%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care13.3%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 months16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)87th 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$9,699 · 9th 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 79.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life79.3%
- All care steps completed99.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Des Moines
MercyOne Des Moines Hospice offers end-of-life support for families throughout the Des Moines, Iowa area. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a terminal illness. Their team works hard to manage pain and help patients remain in their own homes whenever possible. Serving the community from their office on SW 7th Street, they provide a steady hand during a difficult transition. Choosing the right hospice is a major decision for any family. This team has served the region for decades, providing care that centers on the specific needs of each patient and their loved ones.
About MERCYONE DES MOINES HOSPICE
MercyOne Des Moines Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This is a vital detail for families to know. Non-profits often put any extra money directly back into patient care programs. They have been Medicare-certified since May 16, 1986. That is nearly 40 years of experience serving the Iowa community. Longevity like this shows they have deep roots in the local health system. Because they are Medicare-certified, they must meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. You can feel confident that they follow established rules designed to protect patients. They provide care that covers physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Their long history suggests they have seen almost every situation before. That experience can bring real peace of mind to a family during a crisis.
Understanding Hospice Care in DES MOINES
Finding the right care in Des Moines means looking at both local reputation and clinical results. Hospice is not just about the final days of life. It is about making every day count. Most families find that starting hospice sooner leads to better pain control and less stress. In Iowa, many providers offer home visits, nursing support, and help with medical equipment. The goal is to keep the patient surrounded by familiar things and loved ones. You might worry about the cost, but Medicare covers almost all hospice services for those who qualify. This includes medicine, supplies, and visits from nurses or chaplains. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You, the patient, and the hospice staff work together to build a plan that feels right for your home life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask hard questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain and other symptoms that might be uncomfortable. Their answer should be clear and focus on the patient's comfort. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to the family members after the patient passes. Grief support is a key part of hospice care. And finally, ask how they communicate with the patient's primary doctor. Good care happens when the hospice team and the regular doctor are on the same page. Do not be afraid to ask these questions. A good provider will be happy to give you honest answers.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
During this time, the memories and life lessons of your loved ones become even more precious. We offer tools to help you capture these stories, voices, and values to keep them safe for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
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.
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.