CARIS HEALTHCARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 242 HERITAGE PARK DRIVE SUITE 101
MURFREESBORO, TN 37129 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 8, 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 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) | 15 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 5 |
| Volunteers | 87 |
34
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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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.
10.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
83
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 day10.6 min
Ranks better than about 31% 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 weekends7.8%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 life92.3%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits44.6%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care10.6%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 months26.9%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care3.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 hospice3.8%
Ranks better than about 18% 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$11,779 · 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 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 62.8% 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 life62.8%
- 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.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Murfreesboro
Caris Healthcare serves families throughout Murfreesboro and the surrounding Rutherford County area. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency. They offer end-of-life medical support and comfort services to patients in their own homes or care facilities. Since they began in 2004, they have helped many local neighbors. Their team focuses on managing symptoms while keeping patients as comfortable as possible. Choosing a local provider often makes it easier for staff to reach your home quickly when urgent needs arise. This is a key benefit for families living in the Tennessee region.
About Caris Healthcare
Caris Healthcare is a for-profit hospice provider. They earned their Medicare certification in early 2004. Being certified means they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality of care. Families should know that federal oversight requires them to follow specific rules about how they treat patients and manage medical records. This agency maintains a solid standing for their quality of care. Their high marks on the Hospice Care Index show they follow best practices for clinical performance. They also participate in the CAHPS survey to track how families feel about their services. Consistent feedback helps agencies stay sharp. You can check these official reports to see how they perform over time. Their long history in the community suggests they have a steady process for helping people during difficult times.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Murfreesboro?
Hospice care in this area relies on a team approach to manage health and comfort. Caris Healthcare employs a staff of 34 people to handle these responsibilities. Their team includes 15 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who provide direct medical oversight. They also have 5 physicians on staff to guide complex medical decisions. A unique part of their operation involves 87 volunteers who offer extra support to patients and their loved ones. These volunteers spend time sitting with patients or helping with light errands. This large group of volunteers adds a layer of community presence that benefits many local families. Having a mix of medical experts and volunteers helps address both physical symptoms and emotional needs. That is how they provide a complete care experience for those in Rutherford County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem occurs during the night. Ask about the specific volunteers available to help your family with daily tasks. You should also inquire about how the team communicates with your primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page. Does the staff have experience with your specific health condition? This helps you understand if they are a good match for your needs. Finally, ask what happens if your condition changes and you require a different level of care. Good providers answer these questions clearly and with patience. You deserve to work with a team that makes you feel heard and respected throughout the entire process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. Recording their history now creates a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren to treasure forever.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
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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.