GENTIVA
Provider Information
- Address
- 500 CHESTNUT ST., STE 1634
ABILENE, TX 79602 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
12
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 GENTIVA 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GENTIVA compares to hospices nationwide.
13 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
28
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 day13 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends5.6%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits23.3%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 months43.8%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$21,566 · 68th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 72% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.5%
- Pain assessment97.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life72%
- All care steps completed96.9%
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%
- Dementia32%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Abilene
Gentiva provides hospice services for families living in Abilene, Texas. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency within Taylor County. This provider earned their Medicare certification in early 2004. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, known as CHAP. This group reviews health organizations to check if they meet high standards for patient safety and care. You can find their office located on Chestnut Street in the heart of the city.
About GENTIVA
Gentiva functions as a for-profit hospice provider. Being a for-profit agency means the company operates under a business model while still meeting federal requirements for Medicare participation. Their CHAP accreditation serves as a badge of quality. This organization sends experts to check that the hospice follows strict rules for medical care. It helps ensure that the care teams have proper training and follow safe practices every day. Families should know that this accreditation is voluntary. It shows that the provider wants an outside group to verify their work. The team includes five registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who handle daily patient needs. This staff structure allows them to focus on symptom control and support for those in their care.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in ABILENE?
Hospice care in Abilene centers on comfort for people with serious health conditions. The goal is to manage pain and improve the quality of each day. You will work with a team that visits you at home or in a facility. This team often includes nurses and aides who provide medical support. They also offer guidance for the family members involved. Because Gentiva operates as a freestanding agency, they focus their entire energy on these hospice services. They do not have physicians or volunteers on their own staff list. This means they coordinate with your existing doctor for medical orders. It is a simple setup that keeps the focus on your needs. The team works hard to keep you comfortable in your own space.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice requires asking the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how they manage pain and other symptoms. It helps to ask who will be your main contact for questions. Ask if they have staff available on weekends or holidays. You might also ask how they support family caregivers who feel tired or overwhelmed. Ask how they coordinate with the doctors you already know and trust. These answers help you understand how the team works. Take notes during these talks so you can compare your options later. Your comfort is the main goal here.
Preserving Family Memories
Your family history is a gift to future generations. Use our simple tools to record stories and preserve your legacy during this meaningful time.
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