ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 203 S STATE ST
BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 27, 2015
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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) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
6
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 ELARA CARING reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELARA CARING compares to hospices nationwide.
10.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
34
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 day10.5 min
Ranks better than about 31% 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 weekends12.4%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 life91.5%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 visits86.5%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 months50%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% 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$15,403 · 36th 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 76.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.5%
- All care steps completed98.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions37%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in Big Rapids
Elara Caring serves families throughout Big Rapids, Michigan, from their office on South State Street. They provide specialized hospice care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and managing symptoms so patients can spend time with their loved ones. Whether at home or in a facility, the goal is always to improve quality of life. This local team understands the needs of the Mecosta County community. They offer medical, emotional, and spiritual support tailored to each person. That is the heart of hospice. It is about making sure every day counts. Families often find that having this extra layer of support makes a world of difference during difficult times. If you have questions about their specific services in your area, you can reach them directly at (231) 598-4071. They are ready to talk through your options and see how they can help you and your family today.
About ELARA CARING
Elara Caring has been a Medicare-certified provider since July 27, 2015. They operate as a for-profit hospice organization. This means they are held to strict standards set by the federal government for Medicare participation. Because they have been certified for nearly a decade, they have a long track record of serving the Michigan area. What should families know about this? For-profit status does not change the core mission of hospice. All Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same rules regarding patient care and safety. Elara Caring must report their quality data to Medicare regularly. This helps families understand the level of service they provide. When you choose a provider, look at their history and their commitment to the community. Elara Caring has established a presence in Big Rapids that relies on consistency. You can trust that they meet the necessary legal requirements to deliver care. It is a solid foundation to start your search for the right support for your family.
Quality Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Big Rapids
Choosing hospice care in Mecosta County is a big decision for any family. Many people think hospice is only for the very last days of life. The truth is, hospice can provide support for months. It is meant to help both the patient and the family find peace. In Big Rapids, you have access to professional teams who handle everything from medical equipment to emotional counseling. These teams visit you where you live. They work to keep pain low and spirits high. The thing is, many families wait too long to call. Starting care early allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. This makes the entire process much smoother for everyone involved. And if you are unsure if the time is right, you can always call a provider to talk it through. There is no harm in asking questions early. Getting the right information now can save you a lot of stress later on.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
When you interview a hospice agency, be direct with your questions. You need to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Here are a few important things to ask:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if there is an emergency at night?
- What specific services do you provide to help family caregivers get a break?
- How does your team handle complex pain or symptom management for patients?
- Can you explain how your volunteers or spiritual counselors support our family?
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, the memories you share with your loved ones are more precious than ever. We can help you capture those stories so they last for generations to come.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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