UP HEALTH SYSTEM HOME CARE & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3500 LUDINGTON STREET SUITE 310
ESCANABA, MI 49829 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 23, 1995
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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) | 8 |
18
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 UP HEALTH SYSTEM HOME CARE & HOSPICE 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 That code may be out of date.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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
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 UP HEALTH SYSTEM HOME CARE & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 65th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
80
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day13.7 min
Ranks better than about 65% 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 weekends7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 life96.9%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 visits25%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months27.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 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$17,234 · 46th 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 85.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life85.5%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease27%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Escanaba
UP Health System Home Care & Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life support for residents in Escanaba, Michigan. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their loved ones. The team works within Delta County to ensure families have the physical and emotional help they need during difficult times. Choosing a local provider means the care team is nearby when you need them most. That is a big relief for many families. They provide medical care alongside spiritual and social support to treat the whole person, not just a condition. This approach helps patients stay in their own homes for as long as possible. It is all about making the most of every day together. You deserve a partner who understands the local community and cares deeply about your comfort.
About UP Health System Home Care & Hospice
This provider has been Medicare-certified since June 23, 1995. That is nearly three decades of experience serving the community. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure, which is common for many established hospice agencies. When you look for a hospice, longevity matters. It shows they have deep roots and a steady way of doing things. You want a team that knows how to handle complex medical needs while keeping the patient at ease. That said, ownership type is just one small piece of the puzzle. The real focus should be on how they treat the people in their care. Every family's journey is different, but having a partner with a long track record can provide peace of mind. They have spent years refining their process to better serve the people of Delta County.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Escanaba
Hospice is a specialized type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort over aggressive treatments that may no longer help. In a place like Escanaba, hospice providers often travel to your home. They bring the medical equipment, nursing care, and emotional support directly to your living room. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient can enjoy time with family. Many people wait too long to ask for help because they think hospice is only for the final days. But the truth is that starting early allows the team to build a better relationship with the patient. This extra time makes a huge difference in comfort and quality of life. You have the right to ask for a consultation at any time to see if this care is the right fit.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions. Start by asking how quickly they can respond if a crisis happens in the middle of the night. You also want to know who will be on the care team. Will you see the same nurse often, or will there be many different faces? And ask how they handle pain management. The best providers will have clear, honest answers for you. You might also ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a key part of the hospice benefit. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting to discuss your specific needs. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them. A good provider will listen more than they speak. They should make you feel heard and supported throughout the entire process.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. Capturing these stories now creates a beautiful gift for future generations to cherish forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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