MERCYONE NORTH IOWA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 232 SECOND STREET SE
MASON CITY, IA 50401 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 12, 1985
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 100 |
24
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 NORTH IOWA 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 MERCYONE NORTH IOWA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 78th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
31
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 day15.3 min
Ranks better than about 78% 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 weekends4.7%
Ranks better than about 13% 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%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 visits65.5%
Ranks better than about 32% 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%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 months47.9%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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)96th 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$8,161 · 5th 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 57.7% 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%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life57.7%
- 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.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
MERCYONE NORTH IOWA HOSPICE
MercyOne North Iowa Hospice serves the Mason City area from their office on Second Street SE. They provide end-of-life care for patients within Cerro Gordo County. This provider holds Joint Commission accreditation, which is a seal of approval for high standards in medical care. They have been certified by Medicare since early 1985. Their team works to support your family during a difficult time.
About MERCYONE NORTH IOWA HOSPICE
This hospice operates as a for-profit provider in Iowa. They earned accreditation from the Joint Commission, a group that checks if hospitals and clinics meet strict safety rules. This matters because it shows a commitment to high standards. Families should know that this provider maintains a strong team. They have 24 employees including 7 registered nurses and 1 physician. They also rely on a large group of 100 volunteers to help patients. Being part of the Medicare program means they must follow federal rules for patient care. You can find their office right in Mason City. It is helpful to know who is looking after your loved one.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in MASON CITY?
Hospice care in this part of Iowa focuses on keeping patients comfortable at home. You will find a team approach to medicine here. The staff includes registered nurses who manage pain and symptoms for those they serve. They also work with a physician to guide the medical plan. Volunteers spend time with patients to offer company or help with small tasks. This creates a circle of support around the patient. It helps keep the focus on quality of life. Many families find that having a team in Mason City makes a big difference. You get expert care without needing to leave your own home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You should ask how the team manages pain and keeps the patient comfortable at night. It is also good to ask how often a nurse will visit your loved one. Ask how the volunteers are trained to help the patient. You need to know if they provide help for the family after a loss. These questions help you understand the level of care you can expect. Take your time to get clear answers.
Keep Your Family History Alive
Capture the stories and memories that define your loved one. Preserving their voice is a gift for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Some stories are worth writing down
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