AVERA @ HOME
Provider Information
- Address
- 800 EAST DAKOTA AVENUE
PIERRE, SD 57501 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 4, 1996
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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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| 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 AVERA @ HOME 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how AVERA @ HOME compares to hospices nationwide.
12.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 55th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
33
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 day12.7 min
Ranks better than about 55% 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 weekends4.9%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits36.8%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 months87.5%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$14,221 · 29th 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 82.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.1%
- Pain assessment98.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life82.1%
- All care steps completed96.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease11%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
AVERA @ HOME
AVERA @ HOME provides home health services to families in Pierre, South Dakota. This agency operates out of Hughes County to support your health needs at home. They have served the community since 1996 through Medicare certification. Choosing a local provider can make a big difference during a difficult time. Their team works to meet your goals for care and comfort. You should look at the full scope of their services to see if they fit your specific situation. Many families find that having a team nearby helps them feel more settled. It is a good idea to speak with them directly to learn more about their daily operations.
About AVERA @ HOME
AVERA @ HOME is classified under other ownership. They earned Medicare certification on September 4, 1996. This long history shows they have been part of the local system for a long time. Medicare certification means they meet federal rules for safety and quality. These standards are checked often to keep care safe. You should know that this agency functions as a home health provider. This means their focus is on medical care delivered where you live. They employ 10 people total to handle these tasks. This team includes 5 registered nurses who manage your medical needs. Having a dedicated nursing staff on the team is a key part of their service model. They do not have physicians or licensed practical nurses on their direct staff list. This setup is common for home health agencies in smaller areas.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in PIERRE?
Families in Pierre often look for care that keeps loved ones in their own homes. Hospice care provides comfort and support when a cure is no longer the goal. The care team focuses on managing pain and keeping the person comfortable. Staffing often includes registered nurses who visit to check on symptoms. They coordinate with your doctor to make sure your plan is correct. Because AVERA @ HOME has 5 registered nurses, they have a solid base for medical oversight. This is helpful when you need quick advice or changes to your medicine. Other team members might include social workers or aides to help with daily tasks. The goal is to keep you comfortable at home for as long as possible. You should ask how they handle after-hours calls. This is a common question for families in South Dakota.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens. Ask how they communicate with your primary doctor about your care plan. It is also good to ask how they handle medication changes at night or on weekends. You might want to know which team members will visit most often. Ask how they support family members who are also helping with care. These questions help you understand how the agency works. Do not feel rushed to make a choice. Take your time to get the answers you need for your peace of mind.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be saved for future generations. You can capture memories and life lessons today.
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