IOWA CITY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1526 SYCAMORE STREET
IOWA CITY, IA 52240 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 9, 1987
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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) | 13 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
38
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 IOWA CITY 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
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how IOWA CITY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
74
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends8.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 life98.2%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 visits62.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 care10.2%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 months27.6%
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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 hospice4.1%
Ranks better than about 16% 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)85th 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$12,543 · 21st 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 66.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.9%
- Visits in the last days of life66.8%
- All care steps completed96.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
IOWA CITY HOSPICE
IOWA CITY HOSPICE provides care to patients and their families in Iowa City, Iowa. This freestanding hospice team offers support for those facing a life-limiting illness. They have been certified by Medicare since 1987. Their goal is to manage symptoms while keeping patients in their preferred environment. This organization serves the Johnson County area with a focus on end-of-life care. They are a non-profit provider. This means they put their resources back into their services and community support. Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision for any family. Learning about their history and structure helps you make an informed choice. You want a team that aligns with your family values. Having a provider with decades of experience can offer a sense of stability during a difficult time. They aim to balance medical needs with personal comfort for every person they serve.
About IOWA CITY HOSPICE
IOWA CITY HOSPICE operates as a non-profit organization. They first gained Medicare certification in July of 1987. This long history shows they have stayed committed to the local community for many years. Being non-profit often means their mission centers on the needs of patients rather than profits. The team includes 38 employees who work together to deliver care. This staff includes 13 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have one physician on the team to oversee medical decisions. Families should know that Medicare certification is a standard for quality. It ensures the hospice meets specific federal rules for safety and care delivery. You should review how they handle common situations like pain management or after-hours calls. Ask them how their non-profit status affects the extra services they might provide. This can include programs like grief counseling or volunteer visits. These details often show how a provider supports the whole family unit.
Quality of Care Note
What Is Hospice Care Like in IOWA CITY?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort and quality of life. The team works to keep patients comfortable at home or in a facility. In Iowa City, this provider uses a team approach to manage care. The staff includes 13 registered nurses and one physician. This team coordinates with your doctor to handle medications and equipment. They also provide emotional support for the family during this time. The clinical team monitors symptoms closely to ensure comfort remains the top priority. One nurse is often the main contact for daily questions. This makes communication much easier for the family. You can expect regular visits from the nurse to check on the patient. They also provide help with personal care tasks if needed. This support structure is designed to ease the burden on caregivers. It allows families to spend more time together without worrying about medical logistics.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how the team handles urgent needs at night. Can you reach a nurse at any hour? Find out how they handle pain management changes on short notice. Ask how often the nurse will visit your home for checkups. It is also good to ask about their specific team size and roles. Will you have a consistent team of staff? Ask if they provide volunteers for extra help or support. Learn about their grief support services for family members. Do they offer these services for a set time after the patient passes? You should also ask how they coordinate with your current doctor. A strong connection between these two parties is very helpful. Do not feel rushed to pick a provider. Take the time to get clear answers that make you feel at peace with the final decision.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be saved for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
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.
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.