DCHC HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 411 N KING STREET
ALICE, TX 78332 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 3, 2010
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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) | 9 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 10 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 10 |
52
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 DCHC HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 DCHC HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.1 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.
70
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 day13.1 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 weekends8.8%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 life99.6%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 visits26.3%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 care5.1%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 months37.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 care11.4%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 hospice1.3%
Ranks better than about 47% 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)88th 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$11,325 · 16th 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 28.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.9%
- Visits in the last days of life28.8%
- All care steps completed96.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease27%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
DCHC Home Health & Hospice in Alice
DCHC Home Health & Hospice serves the Alice, Texas area from their office on North King Street. This provider offers end-of-life care options for families living in Jim Wells County. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission to ensure they meet strict safety standards. This agency has served the community since 2010. Their team works to provide comfort during difficult times. You can reach their office directly at (361) 664-3484 to learn more about their specific service area or to ask questions about your situation. They focus on meeting the needs of local patients and their loved ones. It is a local choice for those in need of support.
About DCHC Home Health & Hospice
DCHC Home Health & Hospice is a for-profit agency that has been Medicare certified for over a decade. The Joint Commission accreditation means an outside group checked their work. They look for high standards in patient safety and clinical care. This provider maintains a staff of 52 people to assist with patient needs. This includes 9 registered nurses and 10 licensed practical nurses who manage daily care. They also have 2 physicians and 10 volunteers on their team. These professionals work together to create a care plan for each patient. Families should know that this agency is a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus only on hospice services. They do not have a hospital or nursing home parent company. That is a clear structure for families to understand. You can expect a team that knows their specific role in your care plan.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in ALICE?
Hospice care in Alice focuses on comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. The team comes to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a residential facility. They manage pain and other symptoms to improve quality of life. The care team includes nurses, doctors, and volunteers who visit on a regular schedule. They provide medicine, supplies, and equipment needed for comfort. The staff also offers emotional support for the whole family unit. This helps everyone adjust to the changes. You will find that hospice care is about living each day as well as possible. It is a team effort. The clinicians coordinate with the family to make sure needs are met quickly. They are there to listen and to act. You are in control of the care goals for your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice provider is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. Ask how they manage pain and if they have staff available on weekends. You might want to know how they support the family after a loss. Another good question is how they handle changes in the patient condition. Ask them to explain their process for updating the care plan. Be sure to ask how they work with your current doctor. Good communication is the key to a smooth experience. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on these points. You deserve honest answers. Take your time to find the right fit for your specific needs today.
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Capture the stories and memories that matter most during this time. Create a lasting record for future generations to cherish.
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