CARTER HEALTHCARE HOSPICE OF EAST OKLAHOMA, LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 200 E. HARRIS CIRCLE, SUITE A
TAHLEQUAH, OK 74464 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 15, 2003
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 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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
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 CARTER HEALTHCARE HOSPICE OF EAST OKLAHOMA, 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARTER HEALTHCARE HOSPICE OF EAST OKLAHOMA, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
18.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 92nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
14
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 day18.4 min
Ranks better than about 92% 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 weekends2%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 life87.3%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 visits18.6%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 months28.1%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 care15.6%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 hospice3.1%
Ranks better than about 24% 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$11,646 · 17th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 22.2% 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%
- Visits in the last days of life22.2%
- 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.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia28%
- Heart and circulatory disease34%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Carter Healthcare Hospice of East Oklahoma
Carter Healthcare Hospice of East Oklahoma serves families in Tahlequah and surrounding areas. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency. They have provided Medicare-certified care since July 2003. Their team focuses on comfort and support for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay connected to their community during difficult times.
About Carter Healthcare Hospice of East Oklahoma, LLC
This agency operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have maintained Medicare certification for over two decades. Being Medicare-certified means the agency must follow strict federal rules for patient care and safety. These rules ensure that all patients receive a standard level of care regardless of the provider. Families should look for these certifications when interviewing agencies. You want to know the provider meets all government benchmarks for quality. This agency has a long history of serving the Cherokee County area. They have functioned as a consistent local presence since 2003. That longevity offers families stability when they need it most. You can ask their staff about their specific experience levels and how they handle after-hours care for their patients.
What Is Hospice Care Like in Tahlequah?
Hospice care in Tahlequah provides medical and emotional support at home. The team at Carter Healthcare Hospice of East Oklahoma includes eleven staff members. This group features two registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also employ one physician to oversee medical decisions. Five volunteers add another layer of support for families. These volunteers often help with daily tasks or provide companionship to patients. Having a local team means staff can reach homes quickly when needs change. The nurses manage pain and symptoms while the physician coordinates the overall plan. This setup allows the patient to stay in their own home while getting professional medical attention. It is a team effort designed to improve quality of life for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should meet with a few agencies before making your final decision. Ask them how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how they manage pain medication and if they provide support for family caregivers. Find out how often their staff will visit the home each week. Good communication is the key to a positive experience. Ask how the team shares updates with the family and the patient's regular doctor. You need to feel comfortable with the people who will be in your home. Be direct about your needs and expectations during the first meeting. If the answers do not feel clear, ask for more details until you feel satisfied with the plan.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time spent with loved ones is precious. Recording your family history helps keep those memories alive for future generations to cherish.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HOSPICE OF THE CHEROKEE
VIALIFE HOSPICE LLC
SEASON'S HOSPICE, INC.
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPICE
SHEPHERD HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE, LLC
STILLWATER MEDICAL AT HOME
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.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Highest-Rated Hospice Providers in Orange County, CA 2026
22 Orange County, CA hospices tie at a perfect 10 on CMS's Hospice Care Index. See all 22 A to Z, and which 9 also carry a Medicare family survey star.
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.