HEART OF HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3101 LAKE ST., STE 101
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 17, 2007
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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) | 30 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 9 |
67
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 HEART OF HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 HEART OF HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 17th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
162
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 day9.2 min
Ranks better than about 17% 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%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits66.4%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 care8.7%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care25.1%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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)74th 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$16,369 · 41st 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 63.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life63.1%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke24%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care at Heart of Hospice
Heart of Hospice serves families in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from their office on Nelson Road. They provide specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients in Calcasieu County. The team works to manage pain and support the emotional needs of those facing a terminal illness. Their goal is to help patients live their final days as fully as possible. They focus on the person, not just the diagnosis. That makes a big difference for families during a difficult season. Choosing the right provider is a personal decision, but having a local team in the heart of your community can offer peace of mind. They bring support directly to the patient's home or care facility.
About Heart of Hospice
Heart of Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since October 2007. They operate as a for-profit organization serving the Lake Charles area. This long history shows they have been part of the local healthcare landscape for many years. The thing is, choosing a provider is about more than just how long they have been around. You want a team that listens to your needs and responds quickly when you call. Medicare certification means they follow strict federal rules for patient care and safety. This gives families a baseline for what to expect. They must meet specific standards to keep their certification active. It is a good idea to talk with them about their specific approach to care plans. See if their philosophy matches what your loved one values most at this stage of life.
Quality Care Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in Lake Charles
Hospice care in Calcasieu County is designed to surround patients with a team of experts. This team usually includes nurses, doctors, aides, and social workers. They all work together to provide support where the patient lives. Most people think hospice is only for the final days, but that is a common mistake. You can start hospice care as soon as a doctor confirms a life expectancy of six months or less. The earlier you start, the more support you get. That includes help with medical equipment, medication, and emotional counseling for the whole family. Many families tell us they wish they had started these services sooner. It is about adding life to days, not just adding days to life. So, don't wait until a crisis happens to start the conversation with your doctor.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It can feel overwhelming to pick a provider, but asking the right questions helps clear the fog. Start by asking how they handle after-hours calls. You need to know if a nurse is available to answer your questions at 2:00 AM on a Sunday. Ask how they manage pain and other symptoms to keep the patient comfortable. It is also wise to ask about the specific volunteers or support services they offer. Do they have grief counselors who can help your family after a loss? Ask about their staff-to-patient ratio so you know how much time they can spend with your loved one. Finally, ask what makes their team different from others in Lake Charles. You are the advocate for your family, so trust your gut when you hear their answers.
Keep Your Family's Story Alive
This time is a chance to honor the life and lessons of your loved one. We provide simple ways to record their favorite stories and memories so they can be kept safe for years to come.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
AMEDISYS HOSPICE
ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, LLC
HARBOR HOSPICE OF LAKE CHARLES, LP
ST TAMMANY HOSPITAL HOSPICE
ELARA CARING
HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
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.
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.