HEART OF HOSPICE LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 7 TECHNOLOGY CIRCLE SUITE 200
COLUMBIA, SC 29203 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 24, 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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
28
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 HEART OF HOSPICE 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEART OF HOSPICE LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 9th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
117
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 day8 min
Ranks better than about 9% 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 weekends9.1%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 life90.1%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 visits76%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 care5.5%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months39.7%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 care21.9%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 hospice2.7%
Ranks better than about 29% 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)67th 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$17,430 · 47th 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 67.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- 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 life67.4%
- All care steps completed99.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heart of Hospice LLC
Heart of Hospice LLC serves families throughout Columbia, South Carolina. This freestanding hospice provider offers care for those facing life-limiting illnesses. They have been certified by Medicare since 2008. The team holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status shows they meet high standards for medical care and safety. Families in the Richland County area can reach them at their office on Technology Circle. They focus on delivering care directly to patients wherever they call home.
About HEART OF HOSPICE LLC
Heart of Hospice LLC operates as a for-profit provider. Being certified by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care means they follow strict rules for patient safety. This group reviews their policies and clinical practices to ensure they meet national benchmarks. Their team includes 28 employees in total. This count features 11 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Having many nurses on staff helps them manage complex symptoms for their patients. Medicare certification allows them to serve people who rely on federal benefits for end-of-life care. Families should know that this provider has a long history of service in South Carolina. They have maintained their Medicare status for over fifteen years. Checking this history is a smart step when you compare local hospice options for your loved ones.
Quality Performance Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in COLUMBIA?
Hospice care in Columbia follows a team-based approach to support patients and their families. Professionals visit homes to manage pain and provide emotional support during difficult times. The goal is to keep patients comfortable and surrounded by familiar items. You will find that most hospice agencies here send nurses, aides, and social workers to your home. Heart of Hospice LLC uses their team of 11 registered nurses to coordinate these visits. They work with your doctor to create a plan that fits your specific needs. This care happens wherever you live, whether that is a private home or a care facility. It is about making every day count. The team handles the medical side so you can focus on spending time with the people you love.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice agency can feel overwhelming at first. You should prepare a few questions to help you understand their services. First, ask how quickly their nurses can reach your home during an emergency at night. Second, inquire about the specific support they offer to family caregivers during the process. You should also ask how their team coordinates with your primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page. Finally, ask what happens if your needs change and you require a higher level of care. These questions help you see if a provider matches your family needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clear, direct answers. You have the right to understand how they will care for your loved one each day.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be kept safe for future generations. Start recording the memories and lessons that matter most today.
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