ELITE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 602 DEQUEEN STREET
MENA, AR 71953 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 26, 1996
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 14 |
23
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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELITE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 64th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
79
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 day13.6 min
Ranks better than about 64% 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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life94%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 visits39.3%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care2.5%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 months40.8%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care2.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice0.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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)67th 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$16,702 · 43rd 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 72.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment99.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.2%
- Visits in the last days of life72.7%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Elite Hospice in Mena
Elite Hospice serves families across Polk County from their office on DeQueen Street in Mena, Arkansas. They provide comfort-focused care for those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice team is a big decision during a difficult season. This provider works to manage pain and support the emotional needs of both patients and their loved ones. They have been helping families in the region since 1996. That is nearly three decades of service in this community. Having a local team means they understand the specific needs of folks in Mena. They focus on dignity and making every day count. If you are exploring end-of-life options, this team is a local resource ready to help. Their goal is to keep patients comfortable at home where they feel most at peace. It is about adding life to days, not just days to life.
About Elite Hospice
Elite Hospice is a for-profit provider that has been Medicare-certified since September 1996. This long history shows they have met federal standards for a very long time. Being a for-profit group means they operate under a specific business structure, but they still must follow strict Medicare rules. What matters most to families is the actual quality of care provided. You should know that they have earned a 5-star rating from Medicare. That is the highest score possible. This score looks at how well they manage pain and how they treat patients. It also looks at the results of surveys from families they have served. You can feel good knowing they hit these high benchmarks. They have built a track record of reliability in the Polk County area. If you talk to them, ask how they keep this high level of service consistent for every single patient they visit.
Top-Tier Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Mena
Living in a smaller town like Mena can make it easier to find personalized care. Hospice is not just a place you go. It is a service that comes to you. The team usually includes nurses, aides, and chaplains who visit your home. They work together to handle medical tasks and offer spiritual support. The thing is, many people wait too long to call for help. Some think hospice is only for the very last days. That is a common mistake. You can get support for months if you meet the medical criteria. And the sooner you start, the more support your family gets. It really helps to have a team in your corner before things get too tough. They can help with equipment, medicine, and even respite care for the primary caregiver. It is a full circle of support meant to ease the burden on the whole family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team takes a little bit of homework. You want to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your house in an emergency. You also want to know who is on call at night and on weekends. It is vital to know that someone is always available to answer your questions. Ask them how they handle pain and other symptoms. You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling? Do they help with daily chores or just medical care? It is okay to be picky. You are choosing a partner for a very personal journey. Pay attention to how they make you feel during the first phone call. Trust your gut. If they seem kind and clear, that is a great sign.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. Now is the perfect time to record their unique journey.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
VISITING NURSES AGENCY OF WESTERN ARKANSAS INC
HOSPICE HOME CARE OF PINE BLUFF PLLC
GENTIVA
ELITE HOSPICE
CIRCLE OF LIFE HOSPICE
HOSPICE HOME CARE OF MONTICELLO
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.