Lee County Health Department
Fort Madison, IA · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 161517)
CMS process measure: 100 (state average 97.19 — above state average)
Serves: 20 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (319) 372-5225 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Family caregivers surveyed by CMS reported that 91% would definitely recommend Lee County Health Department, and its composite process score of 100.00 is above the Iowa state average of 97.19. CMS has not published a separate CAHPS star rating for this hospice in the available data.
Lee County Health Department serves 20 ZIP codes from its Fort Madison, Iowa office, located in Lee County. Families outside this area should contact the hospice directly to confirm whether service is available to them.
Yes, Lee County Health Department is Medicare-certified, with CCN 161517, certified since 1990. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
Lee County Health Department is a government-operated hospice based in Fort Madison, Iowa, serving families in Lee County and the surrounding area. It has been Medicare-certified since October 15, 1990, meaning it has provided hospice services under Medicare oversight for decades.
According to CMS Care Compare data, family caregivers who responded to the CAHPS Hospice Survey reported that 91% would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 88% rated their overall experience with the hospice a 9 or 10 out of 10. CMS has not published a specific CAHPS star rating for this hospice in the data provided.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects the consistency of core care processes, this hospice scored 100.00, above the Iowa state average of 97.19. Its care index score is listed as 9, and 54.1% of patients received visits from hospice staff in the final days of life, based on CMS data.
This hospice's service area, as reflected in CMS data, spans 20 ZIP codes around Fort Madison.
As a government-run agency, Lee County Health Department is publicly operated rather than privately or nonprofit-owned; this affects its organizational oversight but does not by itself indicate quality of care. All figures above come from CMS Care Compare data. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries; no cost details are provided here. No staffing, facility, or service specifics beyond what is listed have been included.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Lee County Health Department is Medicare-certified (CCN 161517) since October 15, 1990, 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 the CMS CAHPS survey, 91% of family caregivers said they would definitely recommend this hospice, and 88% rated their overall experience a 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Its composite process score is 100.00, which is above the Iowa state average of 97.19, according to CMS data.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
CMS data lists 20 ZIP codes served by this hospice from its Fort Madison, Iowa office in Lee County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 20 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
This hospice is government-run, operated by Lee County Health Department. Ownership type reflects organizational structure, not a direct measure of care quality.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since October 15, 1990.
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 focuses on comfort for people who have stopped curative treatment and are typically 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 the underlying illness; it does not mean giving up care or attention, but rather changing its goals.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
The provided data does not specify where this hospice delivers care; please contact the hospice at (319) 372-5225 or verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data does not describe the intake process; please contact the hospice directly at (319) 372-5225 for guidance, and verify certification 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, service area, and ownership — all of which are covered in this listing using CMS data; for anything else, contact the hospice at (319) 372-5225.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Lee County Health Department directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/161517?state=IA 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.