Howard County Community Hospice
Cresco, IA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 161551)
CMS process measure: 92.19 (state average 97.19 — below state average)
Serves: 16 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (563) 547-2989 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Family caregivers surveyed by CMS gave Howard County Community Hospice high marks, with 96% saying they would definitely recommend it and 89% rating it a 9 or 10 out of 10. On CMS's composite process measure, it scored 92.19, which is below the Iowa state average of 97.19.
Howard County Community Hospice serves 16 ZIP codes from its office in Cresco, Iowa, in Howard County.
Yes, Howard County Community Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 161551, since 1996); the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Howard County Community Hospice, located in Cresco, Iowa, is a Medicare-certified hospice serving Howard County and surrounding areas. It has been Medicare-certified since June 19, 1996. Its ownership type is listed as "Other" in CMS records.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey reported strong satisfaction with the care their loved ones received: 96% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 89% rated the hospice a 9 or 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a separate CAHPS star rating for this hospice in the data provided, which can occur due to small patient counts and does not reflect poor quality.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects how consistently a hospice performs a set of important care processes, Howard County Community Hospice scored 92.19, compared to the Iowa state average of 97.19 — placing it below the state average on this measure. CMS also reports that 87.2% of patients received visits during the last days of life, and a care index score of 10 is on record.
The hospice serves 16 ZIP codes from its Cresco office. As with all Medicare-certified hospices, the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a physician certifies eligibility; no cost details are included here. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data as provided.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes, Howard County Community Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 161551), certified since June 19, 1996. 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 the CMS CAHPS survey, 96% of family caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice, and 89% rated it a 9 or 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a separate star rating for this hospice in the data available.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Its composite process score is 92.19, compared to an Iowa state average of 97.19, placing it below the state average on this measure. CMS also reports 87.2% of patients received visits in the last days of life.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
Howard County Community Hospice serves 16 ZIP codes from its office in Cresco, Iowa, in Howard County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 16 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 the CAHPS survey results are the more direct indicator of caregiver experience.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since June 19, 1996.
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 generally for patients who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment, typically when a doctor estimates a life expectancy of six months or less.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care toward comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life rather than curing the underlying illness; it does not mean giving up all care or support.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The data provided does not specify where this hospice delivers care. Please contact the hospice at (563) 547-2989 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 the hospice directly at (563) 547-2989 to learn how to begin care, and verify certification details on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about caregiver satisfaction ratings, how a hospice's quality measures compare to state averages, and the areas served — all of which are covered in this listing using CMS data; for other specifics, contact the hospice at (563) 547-2989.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Howard County Community Hospice directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/161551?state=IA using CCN 161551.
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.