CARIS HEALTHCARE COLUMBIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 121 EXECUTIVE CENTER DRIVE
COLUMBIA, SC 29210 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 8, 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) | 29 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
92
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 CARIS HEALTHCARE COLUMBIA 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARIS HEALTHCARE COLUMBIA compares to hospices nationwide.
9.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 21st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
211
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 day9.6 min
Ranks better than about 21% 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 weekends9.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 visits71%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care6.2%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 months46.7%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care10.2%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 hospice2.2%
Ranks better than about 35% 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$17,912 · 50th 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 63% 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%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life63%
- 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.
- Cancer12%
- Dementia38%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Hospice Care in Columbia
Caris Healthcare Columbia serves families across Richland County, South Carolina. They offer medical care and emotional comfort for patients at the end of life. Their team works right out of the office on Executive Center Drive. Hospice care focuses on dignity and quality of life for your loved one. It is not about giving up, but about making sure every day counts. The staff helps manage pain while supporting the family through every step of the journey. That is the core of their mission.
About CARIS HEALTHCARE COLUMBIA
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have been Medicare certified since May 8, 2008. That is over 15 years of service in the Columbia area. Being certified means they meet federal standards for patient safety and care quality. When you look at an agency, check how long they have served the community. Longevity often shows a stable team. This location focuses on providing medical, social, and spiritual support for patients. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific care teams. They are there to help you understand your choices and plan for the future. It is a big decision, so take your time to learn about their approach.
Quality Performance Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in COLUMBIA
Hospice is a specialized form of care for those with a limited life expectancy. In Columbia, many agencies provide home-based visits to keep patients comfortable. The main goal is to reduce pain and manage symptoms. But hospice does much more than that. It provides emotional support for the whole family, not just the patient. The thing is, many people wait too long to call. Starting care early allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. It makes a difference when a nurse knows exactly how the patient likes their coffee or what music they enjoy. That personal touch matters. You do not have to do this alone. Local providers are ready to help you manage the medical side so you can focus on being a family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit is important. You want a team that listens and responds to your needs. Start by asking these questions during your first meeting:
- How quickly can a nurse get to our home if we have an emergency at night?
- Who will be on our primary care team, and how often will they visit?
- How do you help family members cope with the stress of caregiving?
- Can you explain how your team manages pain and other difficult symptoms?
And remember, there is no such thing as a silly question. You are the advocate for your loved one. If an answer feels vague, ask them to clarify it. You need to feel confident in the team you choose. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. It is a vital part of finding the right care.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
These moments are precious. Preserve your family history and share your stories with future generations in a meaningful way.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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Some stories are worth writing down
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