HOSPICE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Provider Information
- Address
- 75 MEDICAL PARKLANE SUITE C
MURPHY, NC 28906 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 17, 1991
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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 August 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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
11
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 NORTH CAROLINA 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 HOSPICE OF NORTH CAROLINA compares to hospices nationwide.
7.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 8th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day7.8 min
Ranks better than about 8% 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 weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 life91.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 visits85%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 care7.9%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 months31.6%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 hospice5.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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$19,385 · 57th 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 73.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.2%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life73.3%
- All care steps completed97.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer38%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of North Carolina in Murphy
Hospice of North Carolina serves families in Murphy and the surrounding Cherokee County area. This provider offers end of life care to those in need of comfort and support. They are a freestanding hospice that has been certified by Medicare since 1991. The agency maintains CHAP accreditation, which shows they meet high standards for safety and care quality. Getting help early can make a big difference for your loved one. This team works hard to provide care that meets local needs. They focus on comfort for every patient they serve.
About Hospice of North Carolina
This agency operates as a for-profit provider. They have participated in the Medicare program for over thirty years. This long history shows their commitment to serving the community. They hold accreditation from CHAP. That group checks to see if the agency follows strict rules for health and safety. It acts like a third party that confirms the quality of the care given. Most families look for this mark to feel better about their choice. With a team of eleven staff members, including five registered nurses and one physician, they are ready to help. That is a small but dedicated group. They focus on the needs of each person in their care. You should feel comfortable asking them about how they handle daily tasks. It is your right to know how they plan to support your family member each day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Murphy?
Hospice care in Murphy focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team works to manage pain and help with daily living activities. You will find that the staff includes five registered nurses who handle medical needs. One physician oversees the care plans for the patients. This setup allows for a personal touch during a difficult time. They provide care in a freestanding model. This means they are not part of a larger hospital system. Many families prefer this because it feels more personal and less clinical. The goal is simple. They want to make sure your loved one stays as comfortable as possible. You should talk to them about how they visit patients in Cherokee County. They can explain their schedule and how they respond to urgent calls during the night or weekends.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right partner for your family is a big decision. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if there is an emergency. You should also ask how they help family members manage stress. Ask them how they handle changes in a patient's condition. It is also good to know how they work with your current doctors. Ask if they provide help at night or on weekends. These questions help you understand their level of support. Do not be afraid to ask for clear answers. A good provider will want you to feel informed and ready. They should explain things in a way that makes sense to you. Take your time to find the right fit for your situation. You deserve to work with people who listen to your concerns and answer your questions with care.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.