RIVER VALLEY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1231 HWY 77, SUITE 2
MARION, AR 72364 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 27, 2008
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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) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
6
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 RIVER VALLEY 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 RIVER VALLEY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 43rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
11
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 day11.7 min
Ranks better than about 43% 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 weekends3%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life95.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 visits12.2%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months33.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice11.1%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$15,831 · 38th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 64.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life64.1%
- All care steps completed87.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Heart and circulatory disease43%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
River Valley Hospice in Marion
River Valley Hospice provides end-of-life care for residents in Marion, Arkansas. This freestanding hospice team serves patients within Crittenden County and the surrounding areas. They focus on comfort and support for families facing a terminal diagnosis. The provider has offered these services since June of 2008. Their office is located on Highway 77. Getting the right care at home matters for your loved one. They bring medical support directly to the place you call home. This helps keep patients comfortable in their own surroundings. Choosing a local provider can make communication much easier for your family during a difficult time. You should check their current availability to see if they can meet your specific needs right now.
About River Valley Hospice
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice organization. They earned their Medicare certification back in 2008. Medicare certification means they follow strict federal rules to keep their license active. These rules cover everything from patient safety to how they manage pain. It is a baseline for quality in the hospice industry. Families should know that a for-profit status does not change the basic requirements for care. They must still meet the same federal standards as any other hospice agency. The team includes two registered nurses who lead the clinical side of care. They also work with one volunteer to round out their staff of six total employees. You can ask them directly about their specific care plans. Understanding how they handle daily care will help you decide if they are a good match for your family. Ask how their small team coordinates with your primary doctor.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Marion?
Hospice care in Marion focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings a team of experts to your door. The goal is to manage pain and help the patient live with dignity. In this area, hospice agencies like River Valley Hospice provide care in private homes. This means you do not have to travel to a clinic or hospital for daily help. The team typically includes nurses who visit to check on symptoms. They also help with medication management and emotional support for the whole family. Because this team is small, you will likely get to know the staff members quite well. They work to keep the patient safe at home for as long as possible. Many families find that having these experts visit makes a huge difference in their daily stress levels. It allows you to focus on spending time together instead of worrying about medical tasks.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should meet with a few providers before you make a final choice. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is a very common concern for families. Find out how they handle pain management on nights and weekends. You want to know that someone is always available to answer your call. Ask how they coordinate with your current doctor to keep medical records accurate. You should also ask what happens if the patient needs a higher level of care that cannot be done at home. A good provider will explain their backup plans clearly. If they seem rushed, keep looking for a better fit. You deserve to feel heard and respected during this process. Take your time to write down these answers. Clarity helps you feel more prepared for the road ahead.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Recording stories and life lessons is a gift for future generations. We provide tools to help you save these special moments in a private way.
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