HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE INCORPORATED
Provider Information
- Address
- 411 SE 4TH STREET
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 3, 1987
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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) | 23 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
39
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 HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE INCORPORATED 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
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- 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 HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE INCORPORATED compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
37
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends6.8%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 life91%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 visits60.2%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care15%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 months30%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care11.7%
Ranks better than about 28% 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%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)91st 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$11,859 · 18th 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 62.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life62.4%
- All care steps completed99.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Okeechobee Incorporated
Hospice of Okeechobee Incorporated serves patients and their families in the Okeechobee, Florida area. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency. They offer end of life care designed to keep patients comfortable and supported. Since their Medicare certification in 1987, they have provided care to the local community for many years. Choosing the right care is a major decision for any family. This provider is a local option for those seeking hospice services in Okeechobee County.
About HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE INCORPORATED
This agency is listed as an other ownership type. They first received Medicare certification in June 1987. That is a long history of service. Medicare certification means the provider meets federal rules for patient safety and care quality. Families should know that these standards are reviewed to ensure consistent care delivery. The agency maintains a staff of 39 people. This team includes 23 registered nurses and two physicians. They also work with three volunteers to support their mission. Having a mix of medical staff and volunteers helps them address different needs for the patients they serve. It is helpful to ask how these staff members work together to plan daily care. Understanding their team structure helps families feel more prepared for the care process. Medicare keeps records on how well these agencies perform over time.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in OKEECHOBEE?
Hospice care in Okeechobee focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. The team works to manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. With 23 registered nurses on staff, this provider has a strong medical presence. Nurses visit patients to check on their health and adjust treatment plans as needed. Two physicians also lead the medical side of care. They guide the clinical strategy to ensure every patient gets the right level of support. Volunteers add extra layers of comfort by spending time with patients. This blend of medical expertise and compassionate support is the standard here. Every day brings a new focus on improving the quality of life for those they serve. It is a team effort to keep patients at home whenever possible. That is the goal of hospice care in this community.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice provider is a personal choice for your family. Start by asking how the nurses and doctors will communicate with you during the week. You should also ask about their response time for emergency calls at night. Ask how they help manage specific symptoms or pain levels. It is also good to ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer regular meetings to discuss the care plan? These questions help you understand how the agency operates. Make sure you feel heard by the person answering your questions. You need a partner who listens well. Clear communication makes a world of difference for everyone involved in the care process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be kept safe for future generations to cherish and remember.
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