HospiceScout

AVERA @ HOME

OtherFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
1115 WEST 9TH ST
YANKTON, SD 57078
Ownership Type
Other
Medicare Certified Since
August 24, 1990

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for AVERA @ HOME
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)14

28

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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
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 2022.

Care Details from Medicare Data

Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how AVERA @ HOME compares to hospices nationwide.

11.9 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

53

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 day11.9 min

    Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends5.3%

    Ranks better than about 18% 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 life93.8%

    Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits61.8%

    Ranks better than about 37% 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 care6.7%

    Ranks better than about 47% 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 months24.4%

    Ranks better than about 81% 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 care6.7%

    Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice4.4%

    Ranks better than about 14% 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)83rd 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$11,186 · 15th 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 62.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening92.2%
  • Pain assessment95.2%
  • Breathing difficulty screening98.8%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment98.3%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
  • Visits in the last days of life62.5%
  • All care steps completed88.1%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer19%
  • Dementia24%
  • Heart and circulatory disease15%
  • Lung and respiratory disease8%
  • Stroke8%
  • Other conditions26%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

AVERA @ HOME

AVERA @ HOME serves families in Yankton, South Dakota. This freestanding hospice provider offers end-of-life care for those who need support at home. They have been certified by Medicare since 1990. This long history shows they have helped many people in the local area for over three decades.

The hospice team works to keep patients comfortable and pain-free. They focus on the needs of the patient and their family. You can reach their office on West 9th Street if you have questions about their care options. They aim to provide steady, quality care for everyone they serve. It is a local choice for families seeking hospice support.

About AVERA @ HOME

AVERA @ HOME operates as a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus only on hospice services rather than being part of a large nursing home or hospital building. They have been Medicare certified since August 1990. This certification means they follow federal rules for patient safety and care quality. It is a standard that ensures they meet basic requirements for hospice providers.

Families should know that this provider has a team of 28 employees. This team includes 14 registered nurses who handle the medical side of care. These nurses are trained to manage symptoms and keep patients comfortable. Having a large number of nurses on staff allows for focused attention on each patient. The organization is classified under other ownership. They maintain a presence in Yankton to help those who need care nearby. That is a clear sign of their commitment to the local community.

Quality of Care

AVERA @ HOME holds high marks for their quality of care based on the CMS Hospice Care Index. They also show strong results in patient satisfaction surveys. These scores suggest that families are generally happy with the care provided by their team.

What Is Hospice Care Like in YANKTON?

Hospice care in Yankton centers on comfort and dignity. The goal is to provide relief from pain and other symptoms. A team of experts visits the home to check on the patient. This team often includes nurses, doctors, and social workers. They work together to create a plan that fits the specific needs of each person. The team at AVERA @ HOME uses their 14 registered nurses to help with this daily care.

And the focus remains on the patient. They help families understand what to expect. Care is available 24 hours a day if an emergency happens. You will find that local providers are ready to help at any time. It is about making sure the patient stays in a familiar place. They do not just care for the patient but also offer support to the family members who are helping them.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision. You want to pick one that fits your family well. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if there is an emergency. You should also ask how the team will help manage the pain of your loved one. It is good to know how they talk to your family about changes in health.

Ask these specific questions to get the best information:

  • How often will a nurse visit the home?
  • What support do you offer to family caregivers?
  • How do you handle after-hours calls or weekend needs?
  • Can you explain how the care plan changes if symptoms get worse?

These questions will help you see if a provider is a good fit. Take your time to get the answers you need. The right provider will be happy to talk through these details with you.

Keep Your Family Stories Alive

Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be saved. Record your memories and stories to share with future generations during this important time.

Start Preserving Stories

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Helpful Guides for Families

Some stories are worth writing down

Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.