VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF FLORIDA
Provider Information
- Address
- 4450 W EAU GALLIE BLVD 32934-7214
MELBOURNE, FL 32934 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 5, 2002
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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) | 2651 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 603 |
| Physicians | 258 |
6738
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 VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF FLORIDA reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF FLORIDA compares to hospices nationwide.
18.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 91st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
13421
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 day18.1 min
Ranks better than about 91% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 visits58.5%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 care9.7%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 months35.6%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 care12.2%
Ranks better than about 26% 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)95th 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$24,372 · 79th 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 59.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.5%
- Pain assessment98.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.1%
- Visits in the last days of life59.4%
- All care steps completed96.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke37%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Melbourne
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Florida serves families in Melbourne and across Brevard County. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients facing terminal illnesses. Their team works to manage pain and support the emotional needs of loved ones during a difficult time. It is a local option for those seeking hospice support in the 32934 area.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Florida
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have been Medicare-certified since November 2002. That is over two decades of serving the community. When you look at a provider, ownership status is just one piece of the puzzle. The most important thing is how they treat their patients. Families should look at the care they provide and how they communicate with you. Choosing a partner for hospice is a deeply personal decision. You need a team that listens to your specific goals and respects your family's wishes. VITAS has a long history in Florida, and they bring significant experience to the table. Take your time to talk with them about your specific needs before making a choice.
Understanding Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Melbourne
Hospice care in Brevard County helps families focus on quality of life. It is not about giving up. It is about making every day count. The care usually happens in the home, but it can also take place in hospitals or nursing centers. Most hospice teams include nurses, aides, and social workers. They come to you. They help with physical pain, but they also offer spiritual and emotional comfort. That is the true goal of hospice. In Melbourne, you have access to several providers, so you can compare your options. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You and your loved ones are the most important members of that team. Always ask how the team will coordinate with your current doctors.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team takes a bit of work. Do not be afraid to ask tough questions. Here are a few things to consider:
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one at home?
- What happens if we have a medical emergency in the middle of the night?
- Can you tell me how you support family members who are grieving?
- How do you handle changes in pain levels or other symptoms?
The answers to these questions will tell you a lot about their culture. A good provider will be happy to explain their process clearly. If they seem rushed or annoyed, that is a red flag. You deserve a partner who is patient. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. If it feels like a good match, you are likely on the right track.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, the stories and memories you share become even more precious. We can help you record these life moments to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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COMMUNITY HOSPICE OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA INC
CONTINUUM CARE OF BROWARD LLC
Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
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.