OZARK HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2725 N WESTWOOD, SUITE 18
POPLAR BLUFF, MO 63901 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 1, 2021
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 2 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
3
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 OZARK 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
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how OZARK HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
4
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 day16.1 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care12.5%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 months25%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care12.5%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 hospice12.5%
Ranks better than about 1% 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)94th 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$5,964 · 2nd 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 76% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life76%
- All care steps completed96.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Lung and respiratory disease34%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Ozark Hospice
Ozark Hospice serves families in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and support. The agency has been certified by Medicare since September 2021. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, known as CHAP. This means they meet strict national standards for patient care and safety. Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision for your family. This agency operates as a for-profit provider in Butler County. Their team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. Accreditation shows they follow clear rules for how they treat their patients each day. It is one way to check their commitment to quality care standards.
About Ozark Hospice
Ozark Hospice is a for-profit organization. They have been active in the Medicare program for several years. The CHAP accreditation they hold is a big factor for families to consider. This group sets high bars for health agencies. They check that the agency follows rules for medicine, safety, and patient rights. When a hospice holds this seal, it shows they open their doors to outside experts who review their work. Families should know that this agency is a smaller team. They have a small staff of three employees total. This includes two registered nurses who lead the clinical care. They also have one volunteer who helps with patient needs. This small size can mean you get more personal attention. It is good to ask how they manage care when they have fewer staff members on the clock. You should feel comfortable with the team you choose.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in POPLAR BLUFF?
Hospice care in Poplar Bluff focuses on the needs of patients who have a terminal illness. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms rather than to cure the disease. Teams visit patients where they live. This could be a private house or a care facility. At Ozark Hospice, the clinical team includes two registered nurses. These nurses handle medical needs and coordinate with your own doctors. They also have one volunteer to help provide companionship. This team approach aims to support both the patient and their loved ones. You might wonder how a small staff handles daily needs. They coordinate care to ensure someone is available when symptoms change or pain increases. It is a local service built to keep families together during a difficult time. The care is about quality of life. That is the main focus for everyone involved in your family care plan.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should gather facts before you sign any paperwork. Ask these questions to understand how a provider will help your family. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain management and what medicines they provide. You should also ask how the staff will communicate with your family doctor. It is good to know who will be your main contact person. Ask how they handle weekends and holidays as well. Finally, ask if they have experience with the specific illness your family member faces. These answers help you see if their care style matches your needs. Write down the answers so you can compare them later. Take your time with these talks. You deserve to feel sure about your choice for your family.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We help you record memories and stories to keep them safe for future generations.
Start RecordingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
CROWN HOSPICE
FAITH HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE, LLC
CROWN HOSPICE, INC
ACG HOSPICE
PATHWAYS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
AMEDISYS HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning 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.