Upland Hills Health Dodgeville Hospice Service Receives Five-Star Rating

Upland Hills Health Hospice in Dodgeville has again been recognized as a five-star organization by the Medicare program, ranking it among the very best in the country. Fewer than 11 percent of the 2,060 hospices in the United States achieve the five-star status. In the most recent reporting period, only five hospices in Wisconsin earned a five-star, or excellent, rating. Upland Hills is the only hospice in Southwest Wisconsin to receive the top rating.

“We are not a big hospice with hundreds of patients. Our five star rating is an affirmation of our commitment and focus not on patient volumes, but on high-quality, patient-centered care,” according to Michelle Esser, RN, Director of Upland Hills Health Home Care and Hospice. “Hospice touches patients and families when they are at their most vulnerable. We consider it a privilege to care for patients living in our communities who are near the end of their lives.”

Esser said hospice care is available to patients in various settings, including the patient’s home, assisted living and long term care facilities. An individualized care plan is developed for each patient, which includes providing comfort through pain and symptom management and emotional support to both the patient and family. Intervention and hands-on care are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

The Medicare Five-Star quality rating system is a tool to help consumers select and compare hospice services. To compare hospice organizations, visit: Medicare.gov/care-compare

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Upland Hills Health Hospice services, call 608-930-7210. A Registered Nurse is available to speak to you about hospice benefits. We can also schedule a no-cost hospice informational visit. Information is also available at: uplandhillshealth.org/hospice