ELITE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4200 N WASHINGTON ST, SUITE 2
FORREST CITY, AR 72335 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 21, 1988
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 11 |
| Physicians | 2 |
31
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what ELITE HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELITE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
53
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day15.5 min
Ranks better than about 79% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends5.8%
Ranks better than about 24% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits33.8%
Ranks better than about 74% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care1.7%
Ranks better than about 79% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months42.4%
Ranks better than about 34% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care15.3%
Ranks better than about 16% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice1.7%
Ranks better than about 41% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$17,267 · 46th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 77.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life77.2%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease32%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care and Comfort in Forrest City
Elite Hospice serves the Forrest City, Arkansas area from their office on North Washington Street. They focus on providing comfort and support for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing the right care team is a major decision for any family. That is why having local options in St. Francis County matters so much. Their team works to manage pain and help patients live each day with dignity. It is about making the most of the time you have together. You deserve a team that listens to your needs and respects your wishes. The goal is always to provide peace of mind during a difficult season of life. They bring medical, emotional, and spiritual support directly to the patient's bedside. Whether at home or in a facility, they aim to surround the patient with gentle care. It makes a real difference when the support comes from people who know your community well.
About ELITE HOSPICE
Elite Hospice has been Medicare certified since July 21, 1988. That is over three decades of serving the community. They operate as a for-profit organization in Arkansas. What does this mean for your family? It means they meet strict federal standards set by Medicare to ensure safety and quality. Many families worry about the business side of hospice, but the focus remains on care. The thing is, all Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same core rules. This ensures that every patient gets basic services like nursing, social work, and chaplain support. You should feel free to ask about their specific staff ratios or how they handle after-hours calls. They have a long history in Forrest City, which speaks to their role in the local health system. Understanding their background helps you feel more confident in your choice. It is a big step to welcome a new team into your home, so take your time to learn about their approach.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Forrest City
Hospice is not a place you go to give up. Instead, it is a special kind of care designed to help you live as well as possible. In Forrest City, the focus is on comfort rather than a cure. The team comes to you. This might be your family home, a nursing facility, or an assisted living center. They bring medicine, supplies, and equipment right to your door. This takes a huge weight off the family's shoulders. You do not have to worry about trips to the doctor or pharmacy anymore. The hospice team handles the hard stuff so you can focus on being a daughter, son, or spouse. It changes the focus from fighting the disease to cherishing the moments. And that is the true beauty of this service. Most people wish they had started these conversations sooner. It is never too early to ask questions about what support is available in St. Francis County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider is personal. You want to find a partner you can trust with your loved one's comfort. First, ask how quickly they can respond if a crisis happens in the middle of the night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how their team stays in touch with the family. Will you have one main nurse, or will many people rotate through your home? Consistency often helps the patient feel more relaxed. Third, ask how they help the family with grief and emotional support. A good hospice team cares for the whole family, not just the patient. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Some teams have special training for certain conditions. Do not be afraid to write these questions down. It helps to have a list ready when you meet with them. You are the expert on your loved one, so trust your gut feeling.
Keep Your Family's History Alive
The stories, laughter, and wisdom of your loved ones deserve to be saved for future generations to cherish forever.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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CARING HANDS HOSPICE, INC
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GENTIVA
ENCOMPASS HEALTH HOSPICE
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