VNA Hospice NWI

What VNA Hospice NWI does

VNA Hospice NWI (legal name: Visiting Nurse Association Foundation, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider serving six counties in Northwest Indiana (Lake, LaPorte, Jasper, Newton, Porter, and Starke) from offices in Valparaiso and Crown Point. Founded in 1980 as one of the pioneers of home hospice in the region and the operator of Indiana's first hospice center, the organization delivers integrated, person-centered care for individuals facing terminal illness through home visits, facility partnerships, and the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton VNA Hospice Center, which provides General Inpatient level of care for symptom management. Its interdisciplinary care teams include nurses, social workers, home health aides, clergy, therapists, and volunteers, and the organization reports the lowest 30-day hospital readmission rate in the area along with materially higher visit volumes than for-profit hospices (10 percent more nursing visits, 35 percent more social worker visits, twice as many therapy visits).

The service portfolio extends beyond core hospice and palliative care to include VNA Medical Guardian (a 4G cellular medical alert device with GPS/WiFi location tracking, fall detection, and a 5-day battery life), the Phoenix Center for Grief (peer-based grief support for adults and children built on the Dougy Center model), caregiver support groups, and the We Honor Veterans Level 4 program for veteran-specific end-of-life care. ACHC accreditation covers both hospice and palliative care, with the palliative care program being the only ACHC-accredited palliative care provider in Northwest Indiana and one of only two in the state. Technologically, the platform is operationally standard for a community hospice: no AI/ML, no proprietary software, no API integrations, and no mobile app.

Revenue mechanics combine Medicare and Medicaid hospice reimbursement, private insurance billing, and community donations/fundraising (e.g., Don Quijote Benefit Dinner, Hops for Hospice, Stroll for Hospice). The organization contributes nearly $1 million annually in community care and operates a Board of Directors under CEO Bob Franko. As of January 1, 2026, the Horton Hospice Center is restricted to established VNA home hospice patients to close a nearly $700,000 annual funding gap.

Name

VNA Hospice NWI

Legal name

Visiting Nurse Association Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://vnanwi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

VNA Hospice NWI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider serving six counties in Northwest Indiana since 1980, offering home-based hospice, inpatient hospice, ACHC-accredited palliative care, grief support, veteran-specific programs, and a 4G medical alert device to terminally ill patients, families, and seniors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospice and Palliative Care Services

NAICS

Home Health Care Services (62161), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Home Hospice Agencies (HLAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Hospice (Routine Home Care) (HLADAHAA), Inpatient Hospice (General Inpatient Care) (HLADAHAB), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO), In-Home Hospice Nursing Visits (RN/LPN) (HSABAFAL)

Keywords

• Hospice care services
• Palliative care
• Grief support programs
• Medical alert systems
• Veteran hospice care

Headquarters

HQ city

Valparaiso

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Healthcare Reimbursement: VNA Hospice NWI receives reimbursement through Medicare and Medicaid for hospice and palliative care services. Hospice is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as most private insurance programs.
2. Donations and Fundraising: As a non-profit organization, VNA Hospice NWI relies on community donations and fundraising events. The organization hosts the Don Quijote Benefit Dinner, Hops for Hospice, and other events. It provides nearly $1 million in community care contributions annually.
3. Private Insurance: Hospice and palliative care services are covered by most private insurance programs in addition to Medicare and Medicaid.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VNA Hospice NWI provides nonprofit hospice care, palliative care, grief support, caregiver support, veteran-specific hospice services, and a 24/7 medical alert system (Medical Guardian) to patients and families in Northwest Indiana. Services are delivered in private homes, retirement communities, long-term care facilities, and the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton VNA Hospice Center by an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, social workers, aides, therapists, clergy, and trained volunteers.

Product overview

VNA Hospice NWI offers a constellation of hospice and palliative care services. The core offerings are Hospice Care and Palliative Care (ACHC Accredited), both providing person-centered medical care for terminal and serious illness. These are supported by complementary services including Medical Guardian (24/7 medical alert with fall detection), Phoenix Center for Grief (peer-support grief services), Caregiver Support Groups (peer-led caregiver support), and We Honor Veterans (specialized veteran care). All services operate under the 'Angel Standard of care' philosophy with a mission of 'Making Best Days Possible.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton VNA Hospice Center: Inpatient hospice facility providing General Inpatient (GIP) level of care for pain and symptom management
• VNA Medical Guardian
• Phoenix Center for Grief
• We Honor Veterans
• Caregiver Support Groups
• Best Days eNewsletter

Products and services

• Hospice Care Integrated, person-centered care for individuals facing a terminal illness, delivered by a dedicated team of medical staff, support staff, and trained volunteers. Care is provided in patients' homes, retirement communities, long-term care facilities, or the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton VNA Hospice Center. ACHC-accredited.
• Palliative Care Specialized medical care, comfort, and coordination for any person living with any stage of a serious illness. ACHC-accredited — the only palliative care provider in NWI with ACHC Palliative Care Accreditation and one of only two in Indiana. Addresses complex physical, psychological, social, and spiritual challenges while helping patients retain independence and choice.
• VNA Medical Guardian 24/7 medical alert system with fall detection and emergency assistance at the press of a button. Lightweight, water-resistant device with 5-day battery life, two-way speaker, GPS/WiFi location tracking, and nationwide 4G cellular coverage. Available with no contracts, no hidden fees, and free activation and equipment.
• Phoenix Center for Grief Grief support services offering peer-support groups, memorial services, and the Phoenix Rising program for children and teens (based on the Dougy Center model). Provided through the VNA Phoenix Center for Grief in Valparaiso.
• Caregiver Support Groups Peer-led support groups creating a safe space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement. Facilitated by a dedicated Occupational Therapist and Hospice Volunteer; open to the community free of charge.
• We Honor Veterans Specialized hospice program recognizing the unique needs of veterans and their families. Pairs Veteran Volunteers with veteran hospice patients through compassionate understanding, honoring ceremonies, pinning ceremonies, veteran-to-veteran cafés, and connections to veteran-specific resources.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• We Honor Veterans ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program partnership recognizing the unique needs of veterans and their families. VNA Hospice NWI is a Level 4 Partner, offering honoring ceremonies, pinning ceremonies, veteran-to-veteran cafes, companionship visits, and connections to veteran-specific resources.
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality Connections program participant. VNA Hospice NWI received an Education Certificate from NHPCO's Quality Connections program, demonstrating commitment to high-quality, person-centered care standards.
• The Dougy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhoenix Rising program for children's grief support is based on the internationally acclaimed Dougy Center model. VNA Hospice NWI is also a member of the National Alliance for Children's Grief.
• National Alliance for Children's GriefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNA Hospice NWI's Phoenix Rising program is a member of this organization, providing specialized peer-based grief support for children, teens, and young adults.
• Community Vendors and OrganizationsminorOthersVNA Hospice NWI connects veterans with 50+ vendors at Military Stand Down events to provide resources, benefits, and helpful information. Veterans can register as vendors for these events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Amedisys: Amedisys is a national home health and hospice operator (now part of UnitedHealth/Optum). Directly comparable to VNA Hospice NWI across home health, hospice, and palliative care service lines, though it operates at vastly greater scale and is for-profit.
• VITAS Healthcare: VITAS is the largest hospice provider in the United States and a direct operating peer to VNA Hospice NWI, offering hospice, palliative, and bereavement services across multiple states. Highly comparable on core service model and patient population, though far larger in scale and geographic reach.
• LHC Group: LHC Group (now part of UnitedHealth/Optum) is a national provider of home health, hospice, and palliative care services. Directly comparable service portfolio to VNA Hospice NWI, particularly on hospice and palliative lines, though at much broader geographic and financial scale.
• Encompass Health: Encompass Health operates a national network of inpatient rehabilitation and home health/hospice services. Comparable on hospice and home health service lines to VNA Hospice NWI, particularly around post-acute and palliative care delivery models.

Direct peers

• AseraCare Hospice: AseraCare is a regional hospice provider offering hospice, palliative, and grief support services across multiple states. Directly comparable to VNA Hospice NWI on community-based hospice delivery and Medicare-reimbursed service model.
• Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care: Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is a hospice and palliative provider with strong emphasis on higher visit frequency and clinical intensity. Directly comparable to VNA Hospice NWI on service intensity claims, Medicare hospice delivery, and community-based care model.
• Compassus: Compassus operates hospice, palliative, and home health services across the U.S., frequently in partnership with health systems and ACOs. Highly comparable service mix and patient population to VNA Hospice NWI, with similar emphasis on community-based hospice delivery.
• BrightSpring Health Services: BrightSpring is a large diversified home and community-based health platform that includes hospice and palliative care services among its pharmacy, home health, and behavioral health lines. Comparable to VNA Hospice NWI on hospice and palliative service delivery to complex and aging populations.
• Gentiva: Gentiva is a national hospice and palliative care provider offering home-based hospice services, palliative care, and bereavement support. Direct comparable on hospice and palliative service delivery model and target end-of-life population.

Regional players

• St. Croix Hospice: St. Croix Hospice is a Midwestern hospice provider focused on community-based hospice and palliative care across rural and mid-sized markets. Comparable service model and patient population to VNA Hospice NWI, though operating in different Midwest geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=MwT0dmzuxyE
• Facebookfacebook.com/pg/VNAofNWI

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VNA Hospice NWI