ST CROIX HOSPICE LA CROSSE
Provider Information
- Address
- 700 3RD ST N SUITE 104
LA CROSSE, WI 54601 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 16, 1986
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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) | 15 |
| Physicians | 2 |
27
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 ST CROIX HOSPICE LA CROSSE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST CROIX HOSPICE LA CROSSE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 78th 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 day15.3 min
Ranks better than about 78% 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 weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life97.3%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 visits57.6%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care2.7%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 months35.1%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care2.7%
Ranks better than about 74% 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)67th 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$13,183 · 24th 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 83.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life83.9%
- All care steps completed99.6%
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%
- Dementia6%
- Heart and circulatory disease33%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Croix Hospice in La Crosse
St. Croix Hospice operates in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to provide end-of-life care for patients and their families. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission, which confirms they meet high standards for safety and performance. This organization has provided hospice services to the local community since 1986. They focus on comfort and symptom management for those facing a life-limiting illness. Their team works to support the physical and emotional needs of every patient they serve. Finding the right support can make a major difference during this time.
About St. Croix Hospice La Crosse
This provider functions as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status means they put their resources back into care instead of paying shareholders. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly four decades. This longevity shows a deep commitment to the La Crosse area. The Joint Commission accreditation is another important detail for families to know. This group acts as an independent body that checks if a hospice meets strict quality rules. They look at everything from infection control to how the staff manages pain. A hospice that earns this stamp of approval has proven they follow rigorous national standards. You can feel confident knowing they invite outside experts to review their work. It shows they care about their quality of work. That is why this accreditation matters for your family.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in La Crosse?
Hospice care in this area focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team at this office includes 27 total employees who manage daily care needs. This group includes 15 registered nurses and two physicians who oversee medical decisions for patients. These professionals work together to create a plan that addresses pain and symptoms. They also offer support to family members who are helping their loved ones. You might see nurses visit the home to check vitals or help with medicine. Doctors guide the medical side of the plan to ensure safety. The goal is to improve quality of life every single day. Having a trained team nearby allows for quicker responses to changes in health. It helps families feel more secure when needs arise suddenly. That is the primary goal of the local hospice team.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a care provider is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking questions to understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to the home if an urgent need happens at night. Second, ask how they help family members manage the emotional stress of the situation. Third, ask what specific tasks the volunteers or aides handle during their visits. You should also ask how they keep the patient comfortable when pain gets worse. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with specific illnesses. A good provider will answer these questions with patience and clear details. They should want you to feel informed and ready. Take your time to get the answers you need before you decide.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved ones have lived full lives with many memories worth keeping. Use our tools to record their stories and keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HOPE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
HOLISTIC HOSPICE
ST CROIX HOSPICE WAUSAU
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