SAMARITAN HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 426 N. MAIN, SUITE E
HEREFORD, TX 79045 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 21, 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 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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
10
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 SAMARITAN 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
- 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 SAMARITAN HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
10
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends7.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 life91.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits34.1%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care20%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 months20%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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$12,571 · 21st 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 62.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life62.3%
- 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.
- Cancer31%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Samaritan Hospice
Samaritan Hospice serves families in Hereford, Texas. This provider offers end of life care services to residents within Deaf Smith County. They have been certified by Medicare since December 2004. This long history shows their commitment to meeting federal safety and quality standards over many years. Choosing a hospice provider often feels like a heavy task. But having a local option with nearly two decades of experience can bring comfort to your family during a difficult time.
Provider Background
Samaritan Hospice operates as a for-profit, freestanding hospice center. Being a freestanding center means they focus exclusively on hospice care rather than operating as part of a large hospital system. They maintain a team of ten employees to support their patients. This team includes three registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse, one physician, and three volunteers. A small, focused team often allows for more personal attention. Families should know that Medicare certification requires providers to meet strict rules for patient safety and comfort. These rules cover everything from how they manage pain to how they support grieving family members. When you pick a certified provider, you know they follow a set plan that the government checks on a regular basis. This helps ensure your loved one gets consistent care that follows national best practices for hospice services.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Hereford?
Hospice care in Hereford focuses on comfort and quality of life. The team at Samaritan Hospice works to manage pain and symptoms for those with a life limiting illness. Their staff includes three registered nurses and a physician who lead the medical side of care. They also use volunteers to provide extra support and companionship for patients and their families. This mix of medical staff and volunteers is common for smaller providers. It allows for a balance between skilled clinical care and the emotional warmth that patients need. You can expect the team to visit your home to help with daily needs. They coordinate with your doctor to make sure the plan of care is always current. This keeps the focus on the patient's goals and wishes. Having a local team means they know the area well and can respond to your needs quickly when they arise.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how the team handles pain management on nights and weekends. It is good to know who you will talk to if a problem pops up at midnight. Ask how many staff members will visit your home each week. You should also ask how they support family members during the grieving process. Finally, ask what specific services their volunteers provide to help with daily chores or errands. These answers will help you understand if the provider is a good fit for your situation. Taking the time to ask these simple questions can help you feel more confident in your choice. You are the best advocate for your loved one. Make sure you get clear answers that make sense to you and your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be kept safe for future generations. Start recording the memories and lessons that matter most today.
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