UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 11333 AURORA AVENUE
URBANDALE, IA 50322 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 26, 1996
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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) | 29 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Volunteers | 18 |
57
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 UNITYPOINT HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 UNITYPOINT HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
21.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 97th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
114
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 day21.9 min
Ranks better than about 97% 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 weekends11.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 life98.3%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits19.5%
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 care6.4%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 months30.4%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care3.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 hospice1.6%
Ranks better than about 42% 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)74th 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$9,609 · 9th 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 87.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life87.6%
- All care steps completed99.7%
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%
- Dementia5%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions35%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
UnityPoint Hospice
UnityPoint Hospice serves the Urbandale area from their office on Aurora Avenue. This non-profit provider has offered care to the Polk County community since 1996. They hold accreditation from CHAP, which means an outside group checked their work against high standards. Choosing a hospice is a large decision for any family. This provider works to support patients through the end of life with a clear focus on comfort. They operate as a freestanding facility to ensure that their team stays dedicated to hospice goals. You can reach their office at 515-557-3100 if you have questions about their care model. They bring years of experience to the local area. This background helps them provide steady support during difficult times for your loved ones.
About UnityPoint Hospice
UnityPoint Hospice operates as a non-profit organization in Urbandale. This status often means that extra money goes back into the program rather than to shareholders. They have been certified by Medicare for many years, starting back in 1996. The accreditation from CHAP is a positive sign for quality. CHAP sends experts to look at how a hospice runs its daily business. They check things like safety, record keeping, and how the staff treats patients. If a provider meets these standards, they get a seal of approval. This gives families more confidence in the care they receive. The team consists of 57 employees, including 29 registered nurses and 18 volunteers. These people work together to manage pain and provide emotional support. It is good to know that they have a large group of nurses on hand. They are ready to help when your family needs them most.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Urbandale?
Hospice care in Iowa focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It happens in the patient's home or a nursing facility. The goal is to manage pain and keep the person calm. UnityPoint Hospice uses a team approach to reach these goals. Their staff includes 29 registered nurses who handle the medical side of care. They also have 18 volunteers who provide companionship. These volunteers can sit with a patient so a family member can take a break. The team works to keep the patient in a familiar spot. They visit as often as the doctor says is needed. Sometimes this means daily visits. Other times, the team checks in once or twice a week. It all depends on what the patient needs at that moment. The main point is to make every day as peaceful as possible. You should talk to them about how they handle after-hours calls.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens. You should also ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Ask if they have staff available on weekends or holidays. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management and if they explain the medicine clearly. Ask them how they decide if a patient is ready for hospice care. You might want to ask how often the doctor visits the patient. Get clear answers before you sign any paperwork. You are the advocate for your loved one. Do not be afraid to ask for more details until you feel comfortable with the plan. Good providers will be happy to explain their process to you.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Preserving the memories and life lessons of your loved ones is a gift for future generations. Start capturing those stories today.
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UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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