INTERIM HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 327 N 17TH AVE SUITE 7
WAUSAU, WI 54401 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 23, 2013
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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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
39
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 INTERIM HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 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 INTERIM HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 39th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
125
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 day11.3 min
Ranks better than about 39% 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 weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits66.1%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 care1.7%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 months42.4%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care3.4%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice5.1%
Ranks better than about 11% 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$20,895 · 65th 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 78.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.9%
- All care steps completed98.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer9%
- Dementia28%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke21%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Wausau
Interim Hospice and Palliative Care provides end-of-life support to families in Wausau, Wisconsin. They work out of their office on North 17th Avenue to bring comfort directly to your home. The team focuses on managing pain and helping patients live their final days with dignity. Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about supporting the whole family through a very hard journey. They provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care for those living in Marathon County. Choosing the right partner for this time is a big decision. We want to help you understand your options so you can focus on being there for your loved one. Their local presence means they know the community well. That is a real benefit when you need help fast.
About Interim Hospice and Palliative Care
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They first earned their Medicare certification on April 23, 2013. That means they have served the Wausau area for over a decade. Being Medicare certified is a big deal. It shows they follow federal rules for quality and safety. You should know that for-profit status is common in the hospice world. It does not change the core mission of comfort and care. But it is always smart to ask how they invest their resources back into patient support. Families often find peace of mind knowing the provider has a long track record. They have been a fixture in Marathon County for years. When you meet their team, ask about their local staff. You want people who truly understand the needs of your neighbors. This history of service provides a foundation you can rely on during tough times.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Wausau
Hospice is a special type of care for people who are near the end of life. In Wausau, you have access to several providers who can come to your home or a nursing facility. The main goal is to keep your loved one comfortable and pain-free. Most people think hospice is only for the last few days of life. That is a common mistake. You can actually start hospice when a doctor says a person has about six months to live. Starting sooner is usually better. It gives the care team more time to build a bond with the patient. It also gives families more time to learn how to help. You do not have to walk this path alone. The local hospice community is here to lift the weight off your shoulders. Just reach out and start the conversation early.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a personal choice. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Here are a few questions to ask during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly they can get a nurse to your house in an emergency. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they support family caregivers who might be tired. Caring for someone you love is exhausting work. You need to know what kind of respite care they offer. Finally, ask how they handle spiritual or emotional needs. Some families want a chaplain, while others prefer a counselor. A good provider will listen to your specific wishes. Do not be afraid to ask for details. This is your time to make sure your loved one gets the best possible care.
Keep Their Story Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We can help you capture those precious stories before they fade, creating a lasting gift for your whole family to cherish.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
ST CROIX HOSPICE WAUSAU
ASPIRUS AT HOME
ADORAY HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
AGRACE HOSPICECARE
CROSSBRIDGE HOSPICE
CROSSING RIVERS HEALTH HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
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.