HospiceScout

AVERA @ HOME

Non-ProfitFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
1115 WEST 9TH ST
YANKTON, SD 57078
Ownership Type
Non-Profit
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 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

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 screening91.6%
  • Pain assessment95.4%
  • Breathing difficulty screening98.4%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment97.3%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
  • Visits in the last days of life62.5%
  • All care steps completed86.4%

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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Compassionate Hospice Care in Yankton

AVERA @ HOME provides dedicated hospice services for families in Yankton, South Dakota. They focus on comfort and support for patients during their final months of life. Their team works hard to improve the quality of life for those they serve. By focusing on physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, they offer holistic care. Choosing hospice care is a big decision for any family. AVERA @ HOME is located at 1115 West 9th Street in the heart of Yankton County. They are ready to help you navigate this difficult time with grace and expertise. Their mission is to provide peace and dignity to every patient. Families in the Yankton area can feel confident knowing that professional care is available right in their own community. This provider is committed to serving the needs of local residents with kindness and deep respect for every individual's journey.

About AVERA @ HOME

AVERA @ HOME operates as a non-profit organization. This means their main goal is patient care rather than making a profit. They have been Medicare certified since August 24, 1990. This long history shows a deep commitment to meeting federal standards for hospice care. Families should know that non-profit providers often put all resources back into their services. This can lead to more support for patients and their families. Their office is easy to reach at (605) 668-8327 if you have questions about their programs. They have served the community for many years with a focus on high standards. When you choose a long-standing provider, you benefit from their deep experience in the field. They understand the local community well. Their team works to ensure that every patient receives the attention they deserve. You can rely on their history of service to guide you through your hospice care choices.

Quality Care Recognition

AVERA @ HOME holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating from CMS. They also earned a 5/5 rating for the quality of care they provide to patients. This reflects their dedication to high clinical standards. Additionally, they received a 4/5 score from patients for overall satisfaction. These scores show that both clinical experts and families trust the care they provide.

Understanding Hospice Care in Yankton

Hospice care in Yankton is designed to help patients live fully and comfortably. The goal is to focus on comfort instead of a cure for a serious illness. Hospice teams visit patients where they live. This could be a private home or a care facility. The team includes nurses, doctors, and social workers. They work together to manage pain and other symptoms. They also offer emotional support to the whole family. It is important to know that hospice is not just for the final days. Many families find that starting care sooner leads to better results. You can talk to your doctor about when hospice might be right for your loved one. The community in Yankton has strong resources to support families. Having a local team means they can reach you quickly when you need them most. They are there to walk this path with you every step of the way.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing the right hospice provider is an important step for your family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Here are some questions to help you decide:

  • How quickly can your team respond if we have an urgent need at night or on weekends?
  • How do you manage pain and keep the patient comfortable in their own home?
  • What kind of emotional and spiritual support do you offer to family members?
  • How often will a nurse or volunteer visit the patient during the week?

Asking these questions will help you understand their service style. It also helps you see if they are a good fit for your family's needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on anything that seems confusing. A good provider will be happy to explain everything clearly. They want you to feel informed and supported during this time. Take your time to get the answers you need to feel confident in your choice.

Preserve Your Family Stories

This time is precious for your family. Capturing memories and stories can be a beautiful way to honor your loved one. Learn how to save these stories for future generations today.

Start Preserving Memories

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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.