LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Provider Information
- Address
- 5001 AVENUE O
FORT MADISON, IA 52627 - Ownership Type
- Government
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 15, 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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 20 |
6
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 LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 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 LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT compares to hospices nationwide.
23.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 98th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
8
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day23.4 min
Ranks better than about 98% 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 weekends6.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 life94.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 visits20.4%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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%
Ranks better than about 69% 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)52nd 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$6,879 · 3rd 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 54.1% 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%
- Visits in the last days of life54.1%
- 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.
- Cancer34%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Lee County Health Department
Lee County Health Department serves families in Fort Madison, Iowa. This government agency provides hospice services to those in need of comfort and support. They have been Medicare certified since 1990. This long history shows their commitment to the community. The agency operates with a team of 6 employees. This team includes 3 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse. They also work with 20 volunteers to offer extra support. Choosing a government provider means that public accountability is part of their mission. Families often find comfort in knowing their care team follows strict federal rules. You can reach their office at 5001 Avenue O to learn more about their specific services. Their local presence makes them a steady resource for residents across the county. It is simple to start a conversation about your needs with their staff today.
About the Provider
As a government entity, the Lee County Health Department follows clear standards set by federal programs. They have maintained Medicare certification for over three decades. This longevity is a strong indicator of their consistent presence in the Fort Madison area. Being a government agency means they operate under public oversight. This structure ensures that care follows established national guidelines for hospice services. Families should know that this provider emphasizes a team-based approach to end-of-life care. With 20 volunteers on board, they offer a wide circle of support for patients and their loved ones. The team balances professional medical nursing with community-based help. They focus on meeting the physical and emotional needs of every patient they serve. You can feel confident in their long track record of serving the public. Their team works hard to keep patients comfortable in their own homes every single day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Fort Madison?
Hospice care in this area focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team at Lee County Health Department uses a mix of nurses and volunteers to support this goal. You get three registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse on their staff. These professionals manage pain and symptoms while helping families understand the care process. The 20 volunteers provide a unique layer of personal attention that many families appreciate. Hospice is not just about medical care. It is about making every day count for the patient and their family. The staff coordinates all equipment and medication needs to keep things simple. They visit your home to check on the patient and talk with caregivers. This local service keeps care close to home. You do not have to travel far to get the help you need. It makes a real difference for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice team can feel overwhelming at first. You should prepare a few questions to help you understand your options. First, ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency at night. Reliability is a must for peace of mind. Second, ask how the volunteers will interact with your family members. Volunteers can offer companionship or help with simple errands. Third, ask how the agency handles changes in the patient's condition. You want a team that adjusts their care plan as needs change. Finally, ask about the specific ways they support the family after a loss. Good hospice care extends to those left behind. Write these questions down before your first meeting. Taking notes helps you remember the answers later. You deserve to feel good about the care your loved one receives.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
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