Elara Caring I
Des Plaines, IL · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 141596)
CMS process measure: 100 (state average 96.22 — above state average)
Serves: 152 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (224) 244-7381 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Elara Caring I holds a 3-star CAHPS family caregiver rating, with 84% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it. On CMS's composite process measure, it scored 100.00, above the Illinois state average of 96.22.
Elara Caring I serves 152 ZIP codes from its Des Plaines, Illinois office in Cook County.
Yes, Elara Caring I is Medicare-certified (CCN 141596, since 1998); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Elara Caring I is a for-profit hospice located in Des Plaines, Illinois, serving families in Cook County and the surrounding region. It has been Medicare-certified since August 17, 1998, meaning it has provided hospice services under Medicare's oversight for over two decades.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave Elara Caring I an overall rating of 3 stars. Among respondents, 84% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 78% rated their overall experience 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. These figures reflect the experiences of caregivers who completed the survey and are published by CMS.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects how consistently core hospice care processes were delivered, Elara Caring I scored 100.00, placing it above the Illinois state average of 96.22. CMS also reports a care index score of 10 and notes that 66.3% of patients received visits in the final days of life, based on the same CMS dataset.
Elara Caring I reports serving 152 ZIP codes from its Des Plaines office, indicating a broad service area within the region.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility; no cost information is provided here. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data and should be verified directly on that site for the most current vintage.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes, Elara Caring I is Medicare-certified under CCN 141596, certified since August 17, 1998. 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?
CMS Care Compare reports a 3-star CAHPS rating, with 84% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend the hospice and 78% rating their experience 9 or 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Elara Caring I scored 100.00 on the CMS composite process measure, above the Illinois state average of 96.22.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
It serves 152 ZIP codes from its Des Plaines, Illinois location in Cook County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 152 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
Elara Caring I is a for-profit hospice. Ownership type does not determine quality on its own; CMS quality measures and survey results are better indicators of care experience.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since August 17, 1998, over 25 years.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of illness to relieve symptoms, while hospice care focuses on comfort for patients who have chosen to stop curative treatment, typically when a doctor certifies a life expectancy of six months or less.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care to comfort and quality of life rather than curing the illness; it does not mean no care is provided — pain relief, symptom management, and support continue.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
This is not specified in the CMS data provided; please contact Elara Caring I at (224) 244-7381 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The CMS data does not describe intake steps; contact Elara Caring I directly at (224) 244-7381 and verify certification details on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about CAHPS caregiver ratings, CMS quality measures, service area, and how care is coordinated; contact Elara Caring I at (224) 244-7381 for specifics not covered here.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Elara Caring I directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/141596?state=IL to confirm current CMS ratings and measures.
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.