HOSPICE INC SERVING DAVIS & WAPELLO COUNTIES
Provider Information
- Address
- 927 EAST PENNSYLVANIA
OTTUMWA, IA 52501 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 13, 1989
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) | 12 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
22
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 INC SERVING DAVIS & WAPELLO COUNTIES 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 HOSPICE INC SERVING DAVIS & WAPELLO COUNTIES compares to hospices nationwide.
25
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.
- Skilled nursing on weekends3.3%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 life99.1%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 visits4.6%
Ranks better than about 98% 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 care3.4%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 months51.7%
Ranks better than about 15% 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)89th 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$11,504 · 16th 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 86.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.6%
- Pain assessment98.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment88.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed98.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.8%
- Visits in the last days of life86.1%
- All care steps completed87.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer35%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Inc Serving Davis & Wapello Counties
Hospice Inc Serving Davis & Wapello Counties operates out of Ottumwa, Iowa. This freestanding hospice provider offers specialized end-of-life care for families in the local area. They have served the community since 1989. Their team focuses on providing comfort and support for patients during their final stages of life. They work hard to meet the needs of those they serve in both Davis and Wapello counties.
About HOSPICE INC SERVING DAVIS & WAPELLO COUNTIES
This organization is a freestanding hospice provider. It functions under an ownership structure classified as other. The provider has remained Medicare certified for over three decades. This certification status shows they follow strict federal rules for patient care. It is a sign of their commitment to quality standards. Families should know that these standards help ensure consistent care across all services. The agency uses a specific set of practices to manage symptoms and support patient comfort. You can expect them to follow national guidelines for hospice delivery. They must report data to the government regularly. This helps them stay accountable to the families they support. That is a clear benefit for anyone looking for reliable care nearby. They have built a long history in this region by sticking to these core requirements every single day.
Quality Rating Note
What Is Hospice Care Like in OTTUMWA?
Hospice care in Ottumwa centers on comfort and personal attention. This provider maintains a team of 22 employees to support patient needs. This includes 12 registered nurses who provide medical oversight and symptom management. They also work with one volunteer to help provide extra companionship. The team does not include physicians on staff directly. Instead, they work with local doctors to ensure medical plans stay on track. The main goal is to keep patients comfortable at home or in their current living space. They focus on the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Nurses visit regularly to check on progress and adjust care plans as needed. This approach helps the whole family manage the changes that come with end-of-life care. It is a practical way to ensure everyone gets the right help at the right time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice provider is a major decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency at night. Second, learn how they handle medication changes and pain management on the weekends. Third, ask how often the team will visit to see the patient in person. Finally, ask what specific tasks the volunteers perform for the family. You might also want to know how they support the family after a loss. Write down these answers so you can compare your options clearly. Take your time to get the answers that matter most to your situation. Do not feel rushed by anyone during this process. You deserve to understand exactly how the care will be delivered to your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be saved. You can record memories and life lessons now to keep them safe for future generations to enjoy.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSP AND CLINICS-HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF PELLA, THE COMFORT HOUSE
ORANGE CITY HOSPICE
CHEROKEE REGIONAL HOSPICE
CEDAR VALLEY HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hospice conversations with your loved ones. Get expert scripts, signs it is time, and tools to find quality care near you with Hospice Scout.
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.