Elara Caring
Big Rapids, MI · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 231644)
CMS process measure: 99.21 (state average 97.27 — above state average)
Serves: 51 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (231) 598-4071 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Family caregivers reported that 86% would definitely recommend Elara Caring, and on the CMS composite process measure it scored 99.21, above the Michigan state average of 97.27. CMS has not published a separate star rating for this hospice in the data provided.
Elara Caring serves 51 ZIP codes from its Big Rapids, Michigan office in Mecosta County.
Yes, Elara Caring is Medicare-certified, with CCN 231644, certified since 2015; the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Elara Caring is a for-profit hospice based in Big Rapids, Michigan, serving families in Mecosta County and the surrounding area. It has been Medicare-certified since July 27, 2015 (CCN 231644).
According to CMS Care Compare survey data, 86% of family caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice, and 81% rated their overall experience 9 or 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a specific CAHPS star rating for this hospice in the data provided, which can occur when patient counts are small; this should not be read as a sign of poor quality.
On the CMS composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice performs a set of recommended care processes, Elara Caring scored 99.21, above the Michigan state average of 97.27. CMS also reports that 76.5% of patients received visits from hospice staff in the final days of life, and a care index score of 9 is noted in the data.
Elara Caring's service area, as recorded by CMS, covers 51 ZIP codes from its Big Rapids office.
All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data as supplied for this profile. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility; no additional cost information is provided here. Families are encouraged to verify current details directly with the hospice and on Medicare Care Compare.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes, Elara Caring is Medicare-certified (CCN 231644, since July 27, 2015), and the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
What do family caregivers say about this hospice in the CMS survey?
In CMS survey data, 86% of family caregivers said they would definitely recommend Elara Caring, and 81% rated their experience 9 or 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a separate star rating for this hospice in the data provided.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Elara Caring's composite process score is 99.21, above the Michigan state average of 97.27, and CMS reports 76.5% of patients received visits from staff in the last days of life.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
Elara Caring serves 51 ZIP codes from its Big Rapids, Michigan location in Mecosta County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 51 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Elara Caring is a for-profit hospice; ownership type does not by itself determine quality, and CMS reports quality data separately regardless of ownership.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
Elara Caring has been Medicare-certified since July 27, 2015.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of a serious illness, while hospice care focuses on comfort for those who have chosen to stop curative treatment and are expected to have a limited life expectancy.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care to comfort and quality of life rather than curing an illness; it does not mean withholding pain relief, emotional support, or other comfort-focused care.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify where Elara Caring delivers care; please contact the hospice at (231) 598-4071 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not describe the intake process; please contact Elara Caring at (231) 598-4071 to learn how to begin care.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction, staff visit frequency, service area, and how the hospice's quality measures compare to state averages — contact Elara Caring at (231) 598-4071 for further details.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review Elara Caring's official CMS profile at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/231644?state=MI.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Jul2026 refresh). Survey results are reported by family caregivers through the official CAHPS Hospice Survey; CMS publishes them only above response-count thresholds. Always verify current details with the hospice and Medicare before arranging care.