Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
La Crosse, WI · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 521572)
CMS process measure: 96.3 (state average 96.57 — at state average)
Serves: 53 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (608) 775-8435 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center received 4 stars from family caregivers on the CMS CAHPS survey, with 89% saying they would definitely recommend it. On CMS's composite process measure, it scored 96.30, about at the Wisconsin state average of 96.57.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center serves 53 ZIP codes from its La Crosse, Wisconsin office in La Crosse County. Families in surrounding communities within that service area may be eligible for care from this hospice.
Yes, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center is Medicare-certified, CCN 521572, certified since 2003. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center is a Medicare-certified hospice serving La Crosse, Wisconsin, and surrounding La Crosse County. It is organized under an "Other" ownership classification and has been Medicare-certified since April 24, 2003.
According to CMS Care Compare survey data (CAHPS), family caregivers rated this hospice 4 stars overall. Among caregivers surveyed, 89% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 85% gave the hospice an overall rating of 9 or 10 out of 10.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice performs a bundle of recommended care processes, this hospice scored 96.30, compared to a Wisconsin state average of 96.57 — putting it at the state average. CMS also reported a care index score of 10 and noted that 76.1% of patients received visits in the final days of life, per the reported data vintage.
This hospice's service area, as reported to CMS, spans 53 ZIP codes.
As with all Medicare-certified hospices, the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients whose doctor certifies a terminal prognosis; no cost figures are included here. All figures in this profile come from CMS Care Compare data and reflect the vintage of that published dataset. Where a measure is not mentioned, CMS has not published it for this hospice, which is often related to small patient counts rather than an indicator of quality. Families are encouraged to review the full Care Compare listing and speak directly with the hospice for further details.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center is Medicare-certified (CCN 521572) since April 24, 2003, 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?
Family caregivers gave this hospice a CAHPS star rating of 4, with 89% saying they would definitely recommend it and 85% rating it 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Its composite process measure score was 96.30, compared to a Wisconsin state average of 96.57, putting it at the state average.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
According to CMS data, this hospice serves 53 ZIP codes from its office in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in La Crosse County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 53 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
CMS lists its ownership type as "Other." Ownership type can relate to organizational structure, but CMS quality measures like CAHPS scores are a more direct way to compare care experiences.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
This hospice has been Medicare-certified since April 24, 2003.
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 stopped curative treatment and focuses on comfort during a terminal illness, typically when a doctor certifies a prognosis 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 underlying illness; it does not mean giving up on care, support, or symptom management.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The CMS data provided does not specify care settings for this hospice; please contact the hospice at (608) 775-8435 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not include enrollment steps; please contact the hospice directly at (608) 775-8435 to learn how to begin care.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families may want to ask about caregiver survey results, quality measure scores, service area, and how the hospice supports patients and families — contact this hospice at (608) 775-8435 for specifics not covered in CMS data.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review this hospice's official listing at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/521572?state=WI to confirm current CMS data.
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.