GENTIVA
Provider Information
- Address
- 1370 LAKE STREET
SPIRIT LAKE, IA 51360 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 10, 2007
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) | 4 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
8
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 GENTIVA 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 GENTIVA compares to hospices nationwide.
14.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 74th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
41
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 day14.8 min
Ranks better than about 74% 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 weekends13.5%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 life96%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 visits17%
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 care5%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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%
Ranks better than about 61% 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$17,832 · 50th 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 72.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life72.9%
- All care steps completed99%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease38%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care at GENTIVA
GENTIVA serves the Spirit Lake area from its office on Lake Street. They offer specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients in Dickinson County. Choosing hospice is a big step for any family. It means shifting the focus from curing an illness to managing pain and finding peace. The team at GENTIVA works to support not just the patient, but the whole family unit. They provide medical staff, social workers, and counselors to help you through the journey. It is about making every day count. If you live in or near Spirit Lake, this team is a local resource ready to offer guidance. You do not have to walk this path alone. Having professional support nearby makes a real difference when needs change quickly.
About GENTIVA
GENTIVA operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have held Medicare certification since October 10, 2007. That is over 15 years of experience serving the community. When you pick a for-profit provider, it is helpful to look at their quality scores. Medicare tracks these numbers to show how well a hospice meets patient needs. GENTIVA has built a long history of serving Dickinson County since they first opened their doors. You should know that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow strict federal rules. This keeps the level of care consistent across the country. But the specific team members you meet will be your main point of contact. It is smart to ask how their staff handles after-hours calls or weekend needs. Knowing they have been in the community for many years offers some peace of mind for families during a hard time.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in SPIRIT LAKE
Living in a smaller community like Spirit Lake has its own rhythm. You want a provider that knows the local area and can reach your home quickly. Hospice is not a place you go to live. It is a set of services that comes to you. Whether you are at home or in a care facility, the hospice team travels to your side. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. They think hospice is only for the very last days. But hospice can provide support for six months or more if a doctor says it is time. The goal is to improve the quality of life right now. By bringing in help sooner, you get more time for meaningful conversations. It takes the stress of medical care off your shoulders so you can just be a family again.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice team can feel overwhelming. It helps to have a list of questions ready before you call. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home if a crisis happens at 2:00 AM. That is a vital detail. You should also ask how they help with the emotional and spiritual needs of your family, not just the physical pain. Ask them to explain their plan for managing difficult symptoms. A good provider will have clear answers and won't make you feel rushed. Also, ask about their experience with your specific health condition. Every family has unique needs. Getting these answers upfront will help you feel much more confident in your choice. Take your time with the process. You deserve to feel heard and supported by the team you select.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is hard, but it is also a beautiful chance to record the memories that matter most. We can help you capture your loved one's voice and history for future generations.
Preserve Your HistoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
ST CROIX HOSPICE
LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF THE HEARTLAND
CHEROKEE REGIONAL HOSPICE
HOWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF PELLA, THE COMFORT HOUSE
Helpful Guides for Families
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning 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.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
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.