METHODIST HEALTHCARE HILL COUNTRY HOSPICE & FAMILY
Provider Information
- Address
- 808 REUBEN ST, BRUNE BLDG 2ND FLR
FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 27, 1994
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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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 20 |
33
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 METHODIST HEALTHCARE HILL COUNTRY HOSPICE & FAMILY 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how METHODIST HEALTHCARE HILL COUNTRY HOSPICE & FAMILY compares to hospices nationwide.
16.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 86th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
71
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 day16.7 min
Ranks better than about 86% 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 weekends10.6%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 life98.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits13.4%
Ranks better than about 93% 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 care3.9%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 months42.1%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care7.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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)89th 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$15,283 · 35th 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 89.6% 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 life89.6%
- 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.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in the Hill Country
Methodist Healthcare Hill Country Hospice & Family serves families in Fredericksburg, Texas, and the surrounding Gillespie County area. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and support for the entire family unit. This team steps in when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to curative treatments. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live each day with the best possible quality of life. The team offers medical help and emotional support right where you live. That could be in your own home or a care facility. They bring their expertise to you. You do not have to travel far to find dedicated, compassionate care during a very difficult season. This provider has been certified by Medicare since July 1994. That long history shows they have deep roots in this community. They have been helping neighbors for three decades now.
About METHODIST HEALTHCARE HILL COUNTRY HOSPICE & FAMILY
This hospice is a for-profit organization. Some families wonder if that changes the care. It really does not. All Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same strict federal rules for quality and safety. The main thing to know is that this team has built a strong reputation over the last 30 years. They operate out of the Brune Building on Reuben Street. Having a local office matters. It means their staff members are your neighbors. They understand the rhythm of life in Fredericksburg. The thing is, choosing a provider is a deeply personal decision. You want a team that feels like a good fit for your values. This provider has shown a long-term commitment to meeting federal standards since 1994. That consistency offers peace of mind. You can focus on being a family member rather than a caregiver. That is exactly where you should be right now.
Understanding Hospice Care in FREDERICKSBURG
Living in the Hill Country offers a special sense of community. Hospice care here reflects that same spirit. It is a specialized way of caring for people when they have a life-limiting illness. The goal is simple. It is to manage pain and help the person stay comfortable. But it does so much more than that. It helps the family cope with the emotional weight of a terminal diagnosis. Most people think hospice is only for the very last days. That is a common mistake. You can actually start hospice care as soon as a doctor says life expectancy is six months or less. Early care leads to better results. It gives the staff time to build a real relationship with you and your loved one. Don't wait until the final hour to reach out for this extra layer of support. It is a resource meant to be used early and often.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a big deal. You should feel comfortable asking hard questions. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that someone is always available. Ask how they handle pain and other symptoms. You deserve a clear answer. It is also smart to ask how they involve the family in the care plan. Will you be part of the decisions? You should be. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer for grief. Losing a loved one is incredibly hard. Good hospice providers offer counseling for months after the loss. These questions help you see if their values match yours. Do not settle for vague answers. You are building a partnership for one of the most important chapters in your family's life. Trust your gut feeling during these talks.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The wisdom and memories of your loved ones deserve to be saved for future generations. Capture their voice and their history today.
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