UNITED HOSPITAL DISTRICT INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 125 SOUTH MAIN STREET
BLUE EARTH, MN 56013 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 16, 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) | 6 |
| Physicians | 0 |
10
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 UNITED HOSPITAL DISTRICT INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how UNITED HOSPITAL DISTRICT INC compares to hospices nationwide.
30.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 99th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
13
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 day30.1 min
Ranks better than about 99% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life97.6%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits3.5%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 care11.8%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 months23.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)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$7,553 · 4th 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 82.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life82.9%
- All care steps completed98.1%
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%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease31%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
United Hospital District Inc in Blue Earth
United Hospital District Inc serves families in Blue Earth and across Faribault County. This freestanding hospice provider offers specialized end of life care for those who need it most. They have held Medicare certification since February 1995. This long history shows a steady commitment to serving the local community. Their team works to provide comfort and support during a difficult time. Choosing the right care is a heavy decision for any family. You want to know that your loved ones are in good hands. This provider focuses on high standards of care for all their patients. They keep their services local to ensure they stay close to the people they serve in Minnesota.
About United Hospital District Inc
United Hospital District Inc operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the mission stays focused on patient needs rather than profits. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly thirty years. This is a long time in the healthcare field. Families should know that this provider maintains top marks across all CMS quality categories. They earned the highest possible scores for their quality of care and patient satisfaction. These scores come from official government surveys and direct feedback from the families they have served. You can feel confident knowing their performance is rated as excellent by federal regulators. They do not have physicians on staff but rely on a dedicated group of six registered nurses. This team of ten total employees handles the day to day care needs. It is a smaller team that offers focused attention.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Blue Earth?
Hospice care in Blue Earth focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical support directly to the place where a person lives. This provider works with a team of six registered nurses to manage pain and other symptoms. They have ten total employees on staff to help patients. Because they are a freestanding hospice, they are built specifically to provide this type of care. The team visits patients to check on their health and offer guidance to family members. They help manage medications and provide emotional support throughout the process. Most people prefer to stay in their own homes. This service makes that possible by bringing the clinic to your front door. It is a practical way to manage health needs. The goal is to keep the patient as peaceful as possible while giving families the tools they need to help.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should ask clear questions before you pick a provider. Start by asking how the team handles pain management after normal business hours. You need to know that someone will answer the phone in the middle of the night. Ask about the average visit frequency for their nurses. It helps to understand how often you will see a familiar face. You might also ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. Good communication is the key to a smooth experience. Ask if they have experience with your specific diagnosis. Finally, ask what their team does to support the family during the grieving process. You deserve to know how they plan to help everyone involved. Taking the time to ask these questions will give you peace of mind. You want to feel sure about your choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. Recording their stories now creates a lasting gift for your entire family to treasure forever.
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