HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1401 SOUTH WALDRON ROAD, SUITE 201
FORT SMITH, AR 72903 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 25, 1995
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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) | 36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 6 |
| Volunteers | 59 |
100
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 HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
9.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 17th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
192
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 day9.2 min
Ranks better than about 17% 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 weekends10.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 life96.1%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 visits67.5%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 care9.4%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months40.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care11.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 hospice0.5%
Ranks better than about 54% 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)92nd 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$12,262 · 20th 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 77.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life77.7%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Fort Smith
Heart of Hospice, LLC serves residents of Fort Smith, Arkansas, from their office on South Waldron Road. They provide specialized end of life care for patients and their families in the Sebastian County area. As a Medicare certified provider, they have offered these services to the community since early 1995. This long history shows their commitment to the local region. They focus on managing symptoms and improving comfort during a difficult season of life. Families can look to them for support when they need it most.
About HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC
Heart of Hospice, LLC operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have held Medicare certification for nearly three decades. This certification means they follow strict federal rules for patient care and safety. Federal oversight helps ensure that providers meet high standards for medical care and patient rights. You should know that this provider maintains a large team of 100 employees to support their patients. This staff includes 36 registered nurses and 6 physicians who lead the medical care planning. They also have 59 volunteers ready to offer extra help. Having a large team often means more hands available to assist with daily needs. That is a clear sign of their capacity to serve many families at once.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in FORT SMITH?
Hospice care in this part of Arkansas focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits you to manage pain and help with daily chores. Because Heart of Hospice, LLC is a freestanding agency, they focus specifically on hospice services. Their team is quite large. With 36 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses on staff, they have a deep bench for clinical needs. The 6 doctors help oversee the medical care for every patient. Having 59 volunteers also adds a layer of support for families who need someone to sit with their loved one. You can expect a team approach where doctors, nurses, and volunteers work together. They make sure the patient stays as comfortable as possible while spending time in familiar surroundings.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right help is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how often a nurse will visit your home each week. You need to know who to call if you have a problem in the middle of the night. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management and medicine delivery. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer for family members after a loss. These questions will help you see if their services match your specific needs. Good providers will be happy to answer everything clearly and honestly. Take your time to get the answers you need so you can feel confident in your choice.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations to cherish.
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