HIGH PLAINS SENIOR CARE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1600 S COULTER ST BLDG F
AMARILLO, TX 79106 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 22, 2017
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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) | 10 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 8 |
19
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 HIGH PLAINS SENIOR CARE 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
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.
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 HIGH PLAINS SENIOR CARE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
62
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 day14.9 min
Ranks better than about 75% 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 weekends6.7%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 life95.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits21%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care8.5%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 months29.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 care24.4%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 hospice3.7%
Ranks better than about 19% 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$16,481 · 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 68.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.6%
- 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 life68.9%
- All care steps completed96.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
High Plains Senior Care Hospice
High Plains Senior Care Hospice serves families in Amarillo, Texas, from its office on South Coulter Street. This non-profit organization provides hospice care to those who need support during the final months of life. They have been certified by Medicare since 2017 to ensure they meet federal standards for health services. The agency also maintains accreditation through CHAP, which shows they follow high standards for patient care and safety.
About High Plains Senior Care Hospice
This agency operates as a non-profit, which often means their primary focus remains on mission and patient outcomes. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, or CHAP. This group reviews agencies to confirm they meet rigorous national standards for quality. Because they are not for profit, they often reinvest resources directly into their staff and patient services. They employ 10 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse to support their patients. They also have 8 volunteers who give their time to help families. One physician leads the medical team. These team members work together to provide care that respects the wishes of each family. Accreditation matters because it proves an outside group checked their work and found it meets high benchmarks. You can feel better knowing they have met these external goals for years.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Amarillo?
Hospice care in the Amarillo area focuses on comfort and quality of life. It does not aim to cure an illness. Instead, it helps manage pain and symptoms so a person can spend their time in peace. The team at High Plains Senior Care Hospice includes a physician, 10 registered nurses, and 1 licensed practical nurse. They also work with 8 volunteers to provide emotional support. This mix of staff ensures that medical needs and daily comfort needs get met. Nurses visit the home to check on the patient. Volunteers might read books or sit with the person to provide company. The team also helps families understand what to expect. That is a helpful layer of support. Most care happens in the home, which keeps the person in a familiar place they love. It allows for more time with family members in a quiet setting.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before you choose a hospice team. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the home. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other symptoms at night or on the weekend. Ask them what role the volunteers play in your daily life. It is also good to ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling or support groups? Ask them how they communicate with your primary doctor. Clear communication is a sign of a good team. Make sure you understand their emergency process. You need to know exactly who to call if you have a sudden problem. Keep a list of these answers. It helps you compare your options and make a choice that feels right for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones while you still have the time.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.