SUNCOAST HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2675 TAMPA RD
PALM HARBOR, FL 34684 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 16, 1984
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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) | 246 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 29 |
| Physicians | 15 |
635
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 SUNCOAST 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
- 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 SUNCOAST HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
1068
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 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends9.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits70.9%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 months39.1%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care1.6%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 hospice0.7%
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)97th 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$13,801 · 27th 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 70.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment98.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.4%
- Visits in the last days of life70.3%
- All care steps completed97.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke17%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Suncoast Hospice in Palm Harbor
Suncoast Hospice serves families across Pinellas County from their location on Tampa Road in Palm Harbor. They provide specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients facing serious illness. Their team works to manage pain and symptoms while supporting the emotional needs of the entire family. Choosing the right hospice partner is a deeply personal decision. Suncoast Hospice has been a fixture in the Florida community for decades. They offer a blend of medical expertise and compassion to help people spend their final months in peace. It is a big step to reach out for this kind of support. But having a professional team nearby makes a world of difference during a difficult season. They focus on quality of life above all else. This approach allows patients to stay in their own homes whenever possible. It brings a sense of calm to a very stressful time.
About Suncoast Hospice
Suncoast Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means they put any extra funds back into patient care and community programs. They first earned their Medicare certification on July 16, 1984. That is nearly forty years of experience serving patients in this region. Longevity like that says a lot about their roots in the community. Most families find comfort knowing a provider has a long history of serving local needs. They are held to strict federal standards to maintain their Medicare status. This ensures they follow specific rules for safety and care delivery. You should feel free to ask them about how they support families during the transition to hospice. Their long tenure suggests they understand the unique rhythms of life in Pinellas County. It is a good idea to verify their current service areas when you speak with them. They are ready to answer your questions about their specific care programs.
Quality Performance Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in Palm Harbor
Palm Harbor offers many resources for seniors and families needing extra help. Finding the right hospice care here requires looking at both medical data and how the staff treats you. The thing is, hospice is not just about medicine. It is about helping your loved one live their remaining days with as much joy as possible. Many providers in Florida focus on helping people remain in their own homes. This is often where patients feel most comfortable. You might have several options in Pinellas County. Do not just look at the location on a map. Look at their quality ratings too. These scores help you understand how they perform compared to other centers. High clinical scores are great. But you should also trust your gut feeling after meeting the team. You deserve to work with people who listen to your concerns. They should treat your loved one like family, not just another patient on a list.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask hard questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly they can arrive if a crisis happens at night. That is a vital detail for your peace of mind. Ask who will be the main person you talk to if you have a problem. You want a clear point of contact. It helps to ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor on call 24/7. Another good question is how they support the family after the patient passes away. Grief support is a key part of hospice care. You should also ask how they coordinate with your loved one’s regular doctor. Continuity of care is important. If they seem rushed or cannot answer these questions, keep looking. You need a partner who has time for you. Trust your instincts throughout this process. You are the best advocate for your family member.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. Preserve their wisdom, favorite memories, and life stories so they are never forgotten by future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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