HOSPICE OF NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, INC.
Provider Information
- Address
- 445 FAIRVIEW AVENUE
PONCA CITY, OK 74601 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 12, 1993
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 94 |
27
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 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, INC. 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, INC. compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
40
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 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 visits44.2%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care1.9%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 months31.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 care1.9%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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$13,193 · 24th 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 60.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.2%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.4%
- Visits in the last days of life60.4%
- All care steps completed96.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia7%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions34%
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 Ponca City
Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc. provides end-of-life care for families in Ponca City, Oklahoma. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support during a difficult time. The team works hard to manage pain and help patients live their final days with peace. They serve the Kay County area from their office on Fairview Avenue. Choosing a local team means your loved one stays close to home and familiar surroundings. That matters when you want to keep life as normal as possible. They have been helping families since 1993. That is over thirty years of experience in this community. It makes a big difference to work with people who know the area well and care about their neighbors. They are here to walk beside you every step of the way.
About Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc.
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Being non-profit means they focus on the mission of care rather than making a profit for owners. They earned their Medicare certification on April 12, 1993. This shows a long history of meeting federal standards for hospice excellence. The thing is, not all hospices are the same. You want a team that has a proven track record of showing up when it counts. Their long history in Ponca City is a sign of stability. When you pick a non-profit, you know the resources go back into the care of the patients. It is a simple model that often puts the family first. You can trust that their long-standing presence in Kay County is backed by years of meeting strict government rules for health and safety.
Understanding Hospice Care in Ponca City
Hospice care is about quality of life. It is not just about medical care. It is about emotional support and spiritual comfort for the whole family. In Ponca City, families have access to teams that visit the home to help with daily needs. The care includes nurses, aides, and social workers who visit on a regular schedule. But hospice is also about being there for the hard questions. They teach family members how to give care safely. They provide medical supplies and equipment so you do not have to worry about finding them yourself. Most people think hospice is only for the last few days, but that is a mistake. You can start care much sooner to get the most benefit. Starting early helps everyone adjust and find a sense of calm during a transition.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a big decision. Do not feel rushed to choose the first one you find. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You should also ask how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. It is important to know if they have staff available 24/7 to answer your phone calls. Ask them how they support the family after the patient passes away, as grief support is a key part of their job. Finally, ask if they have experience with the specific health condition your loved one has. You need a team that feels like the right fit for your family's unique values. Trust your gut feeling when you meet them. If they listen well, that is a very good sign.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and memories that deserve to be kept safe. Start documenting these precious moments today to create a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren.
Preserve Your HistoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HEARTLAND HOSPICE (SHAWNEE)
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.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
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.