CARIS HEALTHCARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 208 SUNSET DRIVE, SUITE 370
JOHNSON CITY, TN 37604 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 17, 2004
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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) | 19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 4 |
| Volunteers | 62 |
39
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 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 CARIS HEALTHCARE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 12th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
112
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 day8.5 min
Ranks better than about 12% 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 weekends12%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits64%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care9.2%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 months38.2%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care16.8%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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$16,476 · 41st 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 69.5% 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 life69.5%
- 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.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care at Caris Healthcare
Caris Healthcare provides hospice services for families in Johnson City, Tennessee. Their team works out of their office on Sunset Drive in Washington County. They focus on comfort and support for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice provider is a deeply personal decision. You want a team that feels like an extension of your own family. That is the goal here. They have been a Medicare-certified provider since June 2004. This means they meet federal standards for the care they offer. They help manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional support to everyone involved. The team is ready to step in when you need them most. Caring for a loved one is hard work. You do not have to do it by yourself. They are here to guide you through this journey with kindness and professional skill.
About Caris Healthcare
Caris Healthcare operates as a for-profit provider in the state of Tennessee. They have served the Johnson City community for two decades now. Being Medicare-certified means they undergo regular checks to ensure they follow strict rules. This is a big deal for your peace of mind. What most people do not realize is that all hospice providers must follow the same basic Medicare rules. But the way they deliver care can differ a lot. Some focus more on volunteers, while others have a larger clinical nursing staff. You should ask about their specific team structure when you call. Do they have a chaplain who visits regularly? How quickly can a nurse get to your home in an emergency? These details matter. Understanding how a provider runs their daily operations helps you feel more in control. It turns a scary process into a manageable plan for your family.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Johnson City
Hospice is about living each day as fully as possible. In Johnson City, you have access to several high-quality choices for end-of-life care. The goal is always to keep the patient at home whenever that is possible. Most care happens in your own living room or bedroom. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You get a doctor, a nurse, a social worker, and a spiritual advisor. They all work together to support the patient and the family. Sometimes families wait too long to ask for help. They think hospice is only for the very last days of life. That is a myth. You can get help for months if you qualify. Starting early means more time for the team to build trust. It also means better pain management for the patient. You deserve that extra layer of support during this time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions. Start by asking how they handle pain after regular business hours. You need to know that someone will answer the phone at 2:00 AM. Ask about their staff turnover rate, too. A stable team is usually a happy team. It helps if the same nurse visits your home every time. Consistency builds strong bonds. Also, ask how they support the family after the patient passes away. Most hospices offer grief support for at least one year. Is this included in their plan? Finally, ask them to explain their care philosophy. Do they emphasize natural comfort, or do they use a lot of medical equipment? Listen to your gut when they answer. If you feel heard, that is a very good sign. Take your time with these questions.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We help you capture these precious memories in a simple, meaningful way to share with future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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