CARIS HEALTHCARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 10651 COWARD MILL RD SUITE B
KNOXVILLE, TN 37931 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 25, 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) | 31 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 6 |
| Volunteers | 109 |
68
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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARIS HEALTHCARE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 37th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
226
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 day11.1 min
Ranks better than about 37% 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 weekends10.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 life94.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 visits59.7%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care9.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months40.4%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care10.5%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 hospice0.6%
Ranks better than about 54% 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$15,963 · 39th 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 74.4% 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 life74.4%
- 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.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia35%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Caring for Your Loved Ones in Knoxville
Caris Healthcare provides hospice services to families across Knoxville, Tennessee. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support during a difficult time. Choosing hospice is a big decision for any family. You need a team that truly listens to your needs. This provider works out of their office on Coward Mill Road. They serve the local community with a focus on end-of-life comfort. Whether you are at home or in a facility, their staff aims to help manage pain and stress. The goal is always to improve the quality of life for the patient. That is the heart of hospice work. It is about making every day count for the people you love most.
About Caris Healthcare
Caris Healthcare is a for-profit provider that has been Medicare certified since March 25, 2004. Being in business for two decades shows they have deep experience in the field. But what does for-profit mean for your family? It simply means they operate under a corporate structure. They must meet strict federal standards to keep their Medicare certification. This is a good thing for you. It means they are regularly checked to ensure they follow rules for safety and care quality. You should feel free to ask them about their specific team structure. Ask how they coordinate care between nurses, aides, and volunteers. They have been a fixture in the Knox County area for a long time. They understand the specific needs of local families who seek their help.
Quality Care and Feedback
Understanding Hospice Care in Knoxville
Knoxville has several hospice options available for residents. The thing is, all hospice agencies must follow the same basic Medicare rules. This ensures a baseline of care for everyone. But the experience can vary from one agency to another. Some focus heavily on music therapy or spiritual support. Others might have a larger team of volunteers to help with errands. You should look for a provider that matches your family's personal values. Most agencies in Tennessee will send a nurse to your home to talk about your options. Do not feel rushed during this talk. Ask them about their response times during the night or on weekends. That is a big deal when you are caring for someone at home. You need to know that help is just a phone call away at any hour.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when you start this process. The best way to feel calm is to ask direct questions. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at 2:00 AM. You want a clear answer, not a vague promise. Second, ask how they handle pain management and comfort. Every patient has different needs, and the plan should be custom-built for them. Third, ask how they support the family. Do they offer counseling or help with daily tasks? Finally, ask about their experience with your loved one's specific illness. Some providers have more training in certain areas than others. Write your questions down before the meeting. That way, you will not forget anything important when you sit down with them.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture these precious memories in a simple, lasting way for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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TENNOVA HEALTHCARE HOSPICE
COVENANT HOSPICE
UNIVERSITY OF TN MEDICAL CENTER HOME CARE SERVICES
SHALOM HOSPICE OF GREATER KNOXVILLE LLC
BAPTIST HOSPICE UNION CITY
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.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.