HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF AUSTIN LTD
Provider Information
- Address
- 4009 BANISTER LANE, SUITE 100
AUSTIN, TX 78704 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 8, 2006
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
28
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 HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF AUSTIN LTD 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF AUSTIN LTD compares to hospices nationwide.
8.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 14th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
78
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 day8.8 min
Ranks better than about 14% 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 weekends9.1%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 life94.2%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 visits65.3%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care17%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 months36.2%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 care17%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 hospice4.3%
Ranks better than about 14% 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)74th 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$20,141 · 61st 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 69.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- 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 life69.9%
- All care steps completed99.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia40%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heart to Heart Hospice of Austin
Heart to Heart Hospice of Austin serves families in the Austin, Texas area from their office on Banister Lane. They offer specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a terminal illness. Their team works hard to support both the patient and their loved ones during a very difficult time. Choosing the right provider is a big step for your family. This team has been serving the local community for many years, bringing a wealth of experience to the bedside. They focus on managing pain and symptoms so that patients can spend their time in comfort. It's about making sure every day counts, even when time is short. If you live in the Travis County area, this provider is one option to consider for your hospice needs.
About Heart to Heart Hospice of Austin Ltd
This provider has been Medicare certified since March 8, 2006. That is nearly two decades of experience in the hospice field. As a for-profit organization, they operate with a specific business structure that differs from non-profit agencies. Some families prefer non-profits, while others find that for-profit providers offer excellent, responsive care. The ownership model matters less than the actual care provided. What really counts is how the team interacts with your family. You should feel comfortable asking about their staff-to-patient ratio and how they handle after-hours emergencies. They are located in the 78704 zip code, making them accessible to many parts of Austin. Always check if their approach matches your family's personal values and goals for care. The best way to know is to talk with them directly and ask the hard questions.
High Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Austin
Austin has a variety of hospice providers ready to help your family navigate the final stages of life. When you look at providers in Travis County, you will see many choices. The thing is, all Medicare-certified hospices must meet the same federal safety standards. This ensures a basic level of care across the board. But the "vibe" of the team can change things. Some agencies are large and national, while others are smaller and more local. You want a team that knows the Austin community well. They should be able to connect you with local resources or volunteers if you need extra support. The goal of any hospice in this city is to provide a safety net for your family. You don't have to walk this path alone. There are professionals here who want to make this transition as smooth as possible for you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider feels overwhelming. Take a deep breath and use this list to guide your search. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens at 2:00 AM. You need to know that help is truly available at all hours. Second, ask what their plan is for pain management. A good hospice team will have a clear strategy to keep your loved one comfortable. Third, ask how they support the family emotionally. Do they offer counseling or grief support groups? Finally, ask how often a nurse will visit your home. You deserve to know the frequency of their care. These questions help you see if their values match your own. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if an answer sounds too technical. You have a right to understand the care your family member will receive.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, memories become more precious than ever. We can help you capture the stories and life lessons that define your family history for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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