PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (SOUTHWEST), LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 5340 N TOWNE CENTRE DR
OZARK, MO 65721 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 11, 2008
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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) | 12 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 15 |
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 PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (SOUTHWEST), LLC 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (SOUTHWEST), LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
11.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 43rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
120
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 day11.7 min
Ranks better than about 43% 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 weekends5.9%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 life93.4%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits4%
Ranks better than about 98% 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 care3.6%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 months61.9%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 care11.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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)52nd 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$19,453 · 58th 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 41.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening83.9%
- Pain assessment99.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.2%
- Visits in the last days of life41.7%
- All care steps completed82.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer12%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke16%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Ozark
Preferred Hospice of Missouri (Southwest), LLC serves families throughout Ozark and the surrounding Christian County area. This provider delivers compassionate end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and personal support. When a loved one faces a terminal illness, having a local team makes a world of difference. They offer medical care, emotional support, and spiritual guidance right where you live. It is all about helping families focus on the time they have left together. Choosing the right partner for this journey is a vital step. You need a team that acts as an extension of your own family. That is exactly what they aim to provide for those in the Ozark community.
About PREFERRED HOSPICE OF MISSOURI (SOUTHWEST), LLC
This hospice has been Medicare-certified since August 2008. That is over 15 years of experience serving the local region. It operates as a for-profit organization, which means they manage their own resources to deliver patient services. What does being Medicare-certified mean for you? It means they must meet strict federal rules for safety and care quality. Most families feel better knowing their provider has stood the test of time. They have been a part of the Christian County healthcare landscape for a long time. You can trust that they understand the local medical system well. And that helps things run smoothly when you are already dealing with so much stress. They focus on meeting your needs every single day.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in OZARK
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different path that focuses on living well. In Ozark, you have access to teams that come to your home, nursing facility, or hospital room. The goal is simple. They want to keep your loved one free from pain and distress. Most people don't realize that hospice care includes help for the whole family, not just the patient. You get access to nurses, social workers, and chaplains who know exactly how to guide you through tough moments. It is a team effort. The best part is that Medicare covers these services for most people. That removes a huge weight from your shoulders. You can focus on holding hands and sharing stories instead of worrying about bills.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider is a deeply personal decision. Do not rush it. Start by asking how quickly they can arrive at your home if an emergency happens. You should also ask how they handle pain management after hours. It is vital to know that someone is always available to answer your phone call at 2:00 AM. Ask them about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. Do they have a chaplain who shares your family's beliefs? The answers will tell you a lot about their culture. A good hospice will never act rushed. They should listen to your worries and answer every single question with patience. If they seem too busy to talk, keep looking. You deserve a partner who cares as much as you do.
Preserve Your Family's Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We can help you record their voice and their stories to keep for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Some stories are worth writing down
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