MEADOWLARK HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 709 LIBERTY STREET
CLAY CENTER, KS 67432 - Ownership Type
- Combination Government & Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 1, 1993
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
15
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 MEADOWLARK 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how MEADOWLARK HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
21.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
28
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 day21.2 min
Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life95.1%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 visits8.5%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 care7.5%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 months22.5%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care2.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice2.5%
Ranks better than about 31% 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$11,294 · 15th 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 60.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment87.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life60.7%
- All care steps completed93.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Your Loved Ones
Meadowlark Hospice serves the Clay Center, Kansas area with compassionate end-of-life care. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a serious illness. The team provides medical support alongside emotional and spiritual guidance for the whole family. Choosing the right provider is a major decision during a difficult time. That is why having a local partner you can trust makes a real difference. They aim to help patients stay at home whenever possible while managing pain and other symptoms effectively. It is all about making each day count for those you love most.
About MEADOWLARK HOSPICE
Meadowlark Hospice operates under a combination of government and non-profit oversight. This structure often means the focus stays strictly on patient needs rather than profit margins. They have been Medicare certified since November 1, 1993. That is over thirty years of serving the Clay County community. This long history shows they have deep roots in the area. When you choose a provider with this much experience, you get a team that knows the local medical landscape well. Families should know that this provider meets federal standards for care and safety. It is a solid choice for those needing reliable, professional support near home. They have stayed committed to these standards for a very long time.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in CLAY CENTER
Hospice is not a place, but a type of care focused on comfort. In a smaller city like Clay Center, hospice often feels more personal than in big, busy hospitals. The team typically travels to your home, a nursing facility, or an assisted living center to provide help. You get a nurse, a social worker, and an aide who work together on your plan. The goal is to manage pain so the patient can be present and comfortable. What most people do not realize is that hospice care also includes support for the family after the loss. It is a full circle of care. Having this kind of support nearby means you do not have to drive far to get the help you need.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking hard questions to make sure it is a good fit. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how they handle pain management and if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. Another good question is how they support family caregivers during the day. Do they offer volunteers to sit with the patient? Will they help with household tasks? Finally, ask about their experience with local doctors and hospitals. You want a team that works well with the people who already know your family's medical history. It is okay to be picky.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and memories. Now is the perfect time to capture those moments for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE OF MID AMERICA INC
HOLTON COMMUNITY HOSP HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE AGENCY
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.
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.
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.