HOSPICE OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 3201 FIRST STREET
EMMETSBURG, IA 50536 - Ownership Type
- Government
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 7, 1993
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 10 |
3
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 HOSPICE OF PALO ALTO COUNTY 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 HOSPICE OF PALO ALTO COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
15.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
5
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 day15.5 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends10.5%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits16.1%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months30.8%
Ranks better than about 66% 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)93rd 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$7,450 · 4th 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 91.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed95.1%
- Visits in the last days of life91.3%
- All care steps completed95.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Palo Alto County
Hospice of Palo Alto County serves families in Emmetsburg, Iowa. This provider offers end of life support services to the local community. They have been certified by Medicare since 1993. This long history shows their commitment to meeting federal quality standards for care. Their team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes.
About HOSPICE OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
This hospice operates as a government agency. Being a government entity means they follow strict public rules for how they manage care. They have maintained their Medicare certification for over three decades. This is a long time to serve the public. Families should know that Medicare certification is a sign of meeting specific health and safety requirements. It acts as a baseline for quality. This provider focuses on the needs of Palo Alto County residents. They keep a small team of three employees on staff. This includes two registered nurses who lead the clinical side of care. They also rely on ten volunteers to assist families. Using volunteers is a common way for hospices to provide extra companionship for patients. That is a helpful resource for many households.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in EMMETSBURG?
Hospice care in Iowa centers on comfort and personal choice. When you choose a local provider like this one, you get support from people who know your area. The care team typically visits the patient where they live. This could be a private house or a care facility. The staff includes two registered nurses to manage pain and symptoms. They focus on the physical needs of the patient every single day. Volunteers also provide support for daily tasks or just sitting with a loved one. This mix of clinical staff and volunteers creates a circle of care around the patient. It helps the family handle the demands of end of life care. The primary goal is to improve the quality of each day for the patient. You can expect regular check-ins from the team. They adjust their plan as health needs change over time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a care team is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to understand how they work. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can visit if a sudden problem happens at night. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other symptoms. It is helpful to know who to call on the weekends. Ask how they communicate with the patient's main doctor. This ensures everyone stays on the same page. You might also ask how they support family caregivers who are tired or stressed. Do they offer training for the tasks you need to do at home? Understanding the role of their volunteers is also smart. These questions help you see if their style of care fits your family values. Do not feel rushed during these talks.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
AVERA @ HOME OF SPENCER HOSPITAL
UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
CHEROKEE REGIONAL HOSPICE
GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.