Elara Caring
Topeka, KS · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 171536)
CMS process measure: 100 (state average 95.71 — above state average)
Serves: 88 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (785) 228-0400 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Elara Caring holds a 4-star family caregiver rating on the CMS CAHPS survey, with 80% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it. Its CMS composite process score of 100.00 is above the Kansas state average of 95.71.
Elara Caring serves 88 ZIP codes from its Topeka, Kansas office in Shawnee County.
Yes, Elara Caring is Medicare-certified (CCN 171536), certified since 1997; 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 located in Topeka, Kansas, serving families in Shawnee County and the surrounding region. The hospice has been Medicare-certified since April 4, 1997, meaning it has participated in the Medicare hospice benefit for over two decades.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey gave Elara Caring an overall rating of 4 stars. In that same survey, 80% of caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 82% rated their overall experience of care a 9 or 10 out of 10.
On CMS's composite process measure — which reflects how consistently core hospice care processes are delivered — Elara Caring scored 100.00, compared to a Kansas state average of 95.71, placing it above the state average. CMS also reports a care index score of 10 and notes that 73.3% of patients received visits during the last days of life, based on the data CMS has published.
Elara Caring's service area, per CMS records, spans 88 ZIP codes.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a physician certifies eligibility; no cost details beyond this are provided here. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data as published by CMS; where CMS has not published a particular measure for a hospice, that omission often reflects a small number of surveyed patients rather than any indication of quality.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Elara Caring is Medicare-certified (CCN 171536), certified since April 4, 1997, 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?
CMS's CAHPS survey data shows a 4-star family caregiver rating for Elara Caring, with 80% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it and 82% rating their care experience a 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Elara Caring's CMS composite process score is 100.00, which is above the Kansas state average of 95.71.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
According to CMS data, Elara Caring serves 88 ZIP codes from its office in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 88 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 care quality; CMS quality measures like the CAHPS survey and composite process score are more direct indicators.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
Elara Caring has been Medicare-certified since April 4, 1997.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative treatment, while hospice care is for patients who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment, typically when a doctor has certified 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 the underlying illness; it does not mean abandoning medical care or support.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify where Elara Caring delivers care; contact the hospice at (785) 228-0400 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; contact Elara Caring at (785) 228-0400 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction ratings, quality measure scores compared to state averages, and the geographic service area — all of which are available for Elara Caring through CMS Care Compare, and further questions can be directed to the hospice at (785) 228-0400.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can verify Elara Caring's certification and quality data directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/171536?state=KS.
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.