GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER
Provider Information
- Address
- 333 FRONT ST N
LA CROSSE, WI 54601 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 24, 2003
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 76 |
43
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 GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER 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 2010.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER compares to hospices nationwide.
16.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
73
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 day16.1 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 weekends11.5%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 life95.4%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits54%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care6.4%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 months27.7%
Ranks better than about 74% 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)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$11,416 · 16th 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 76.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.9%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.4%
- Visits in the last days of life76.1%
- All care steps completed95.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke21%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center provides hospice services to families throughout the La Crosse, Wisconsin area. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team serves the community from their location at 333 Front St N. Choosing the right care is a major decision for your family. This provider works to ensure that every patient receives dedicated attention during their most vulnerable moments. By managing pain and stress, they help patients stay as comfortable as possible in their own homes or care settings. It is all about quality of life. The team understands that you need clear guidance and reliable support right now. They offer a stable hand when you need it most. Having a local provider that knows the area well can make a real difference in your daily care routine.
About GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER
This hospice provider has been Medicare-certified since April 24, 2003. That is over two decades of experience serving the La Crosse region. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure, which means they function differently than typical private or non-profit groups. Families should know that this long history of certification shows they meet federal standards for health and safety. The thing is, choosing a provider is not just about the paperwork. It is about finding a group that fits your family's personal values and specific needs. You can reach their office directly at (608) 775-8435 to ask about their current capacity and care philosophy. They have been a fixture in the La Crosse health community for a long time. That kind of longevity often means they have strong ties to local doctors and other vital community health resources.
Quality You Can Trust
Understanding Hospice Care in LA CROSSE
Hospice is a special way of caring for people with serious illnesses. It is not about giving up on hope. Instead, it is about shifting the focus to comfort and peace. In La Crosse, families have access to teams that include doctors, nurses, and social workers. These professionals visit patients wherever they call home. They help manage symptoms so the patient can spend more time with the people they love. And here is the secret: hospice is for the family, too. The support teams provide emotional and spiritual care to help you handle the heavy weight of caregiving. Many people wait too long to call for help. The truth is that hospice can provide months of support if you start early. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local providers like those in La Crosse are trained to guide you through every step of this journey.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice team can feel overwhelming. Keep a notebook handy when you call them. First, ask how quickly they can start services after a referral. You might need help right away, so timing matters. Second, ask what their team looks like. Do they have a nurse available 24/7 for emergencies? That is a big deal if symptoms change in the middle of the night. Third, ask how they handle medication and equipment delivery. You want to be sure they have a solid plan to get what you need delivered to your door. Finally, ask how they help family members cope with grief. Some groups offer long-term support for months after a loss. These simple questions will give you a better sense of how they will treat your loved one. Take your time. You deserve to feel confident in the care you choose.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and memories. Saving these precious moments now creates a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren to treasure for years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
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.