MILLE LACS HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 200 NORTH ELM STREET
ONAMIA, MN 56359 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 28, 2010
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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 August 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 | 0 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
2
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 MILLE LACS HEALTH SYSTEM 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
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how MILLE LACS HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 84th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
3
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. 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 day16.3 min
Ranks better than about 84% 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 weekends2%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 life75%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 visits21.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months0%
Ranks better than about 97% 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)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$17,369 · 47th 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.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Mille Lacs Health System Hospice
Mille Lacs Health System Hospice serves families in Onamia, Minnesota. This freestanding hospice provider offers end of life support to those in Mille Lacs County. They have provided care since May 2010. Their team works to meet the needs of patients during their final months. Families often look for local options to keep their loved ones close to home. This provider helps meet that need. They are part of the local health system. This means they are connected to other medical services in the area. The team focuses on comfort for the patient and their family. They aim to provide steady support during a difficult time. You can reach them at their North Elm Street office to learn more about their specific care plans.
About MILLE LACS HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE
This provider operates as a non-profit hospice. Being non-profit means they focus on the mission of care rather than profit margins. They have been certified by Medicare for over a decade. This certification proves they meet federal standards for health and safety. The team consists of two employees. This includes one registered nurse. They also work with five volunteers who offer extra support. Volunteers play a large role in hospice by sitting with patients or helping with small tasks. Because they are a smaller team, they can offer focused attention to the people they serve. Families should know that Medicare certification is the baseline for all hospice providers. It ensures the agency follows strict rules for patient care and record keeping. You can feel sure that this agency maintains these standards every day. They are ready to assist you when you need them most.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in ONAMIA?
Hospice care in this part of Minnesota focuses on comfort. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms rather than curing a disease. Patients often stay in their own homes or local care facilities. The team visits them on a regular basis. In Onamia, this provider uses a small but dedicated staff to manage care. With one registered nurse and five volunteers, the team keeps a close watch on patient needs. The nurse manages the medical side of the plan. Volunteers provide companionship. This mix allows for a personal touch. The team communicates with family members to ensure everyone understands the care plan. They work to make sure the patient stays as comfortable as possible. It is a quiet way to receive support in your own community. That is the main goal of their service model.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel comfortable with the people who care for your family. Start by asking how the team handles pain management on weekends or nights. You want to know who answers the phone when a crisis happens after hours. Ask how often the nurse will visit your home. It is also good to ask how they involve volunteers in the daily routine. You might wonder how they support family caregivers who are tired. Ask about the specific services they offer for emotional or spiritual needs. A good provider will answer these questions with patience and clarity. Do not be afraid to ask for more details until you feel satisfied with the answers. You are the advocate for your loved one. Getting these details early helps you make the right choice for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be saved for the future. We offer tools to help you record memories and share them with the people you love.
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