A BETTER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 10777 WESTHEIMER RD
HOUSTON, TX 77042 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 13, 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 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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
11
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 A BETTER 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how A BETTER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 18th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
14
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 day9.3 min
Ranks better than about 18% 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 weekends5.2%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 life78.7%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 visits81.7%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 months39%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care14.6%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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)67th 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$24,600 · 80th 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 15.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life15.2%
- All care steps completed96.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia49%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About A Better Hospice
A Better Hospice serves families in Houston, Texas from their office on Westheimer Road. They offer end of life support to those in need. This provider holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. That is a big deal. It shows they meet high standards for patient safety and care quality. Getting this stamp of approval takes a lot of hard work. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2017. Their team works hard to provide comfort to patients throughout Harris County. Choosing the right provider is a major decision for your loved ones. You want a team that puts comfort first. This group focuses on quality care for every single person they serve. They keep their standards high to help your family during a difficult time. You are in good hands with a team that values your trust.
Provider Details
A Better Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have been active since 2017. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care gives them a seal of approval. This group checks hospice agencies to make sure they follow strict rules. They look at how the team manages pain. They also check how well they support the emotional needs of family members. What most people do not realize is that accreditation is voluntary. A agency chooses to go through this process to prove they care about quality. This specific provider has 11 total employees on staff. That includes 4 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. They also have 5 volunteers who help out. Having a dedicated team is quite important for hospice care. You can feel better knowing they have a clear structure in place. It shows they are ready to meet your family needs every single day.
Top Quality Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Houston
Finding the right care in a large city like Houston can feel overwhelming. Many options exist for families facing a terminal illness. The best providers focus on managing pain and keeping patients comfortable at home. A Better Hospice uses a team approach to reach this goal. Their staff includes registered nurses, practical nurses, and trained volunteers. This mix allows for a wide range of support. Nurses handle the medical side of things. Volunteers offer a friendly ear or help with small tasks. That is a kind way to support the whole family. You should look for a team that listens well. Communication is the heart of good hospice care. It helps everyone stay on the same page during a hard time. The goal is always to improve the quality of each day. You deserve a team that stays present and ready to help you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before you pick a provider. Do not be afraid to speak up. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is available around the clock. Second, ask how the team will help manage pain for your loved one. Good pain control is the main goal of hospice care. Third, ask how they involve the family in the plan of care. You know your loved one best. Finally, ask if they have volunteers who can sit with the patient. Sometimes a visitor is all someone needs to feel less alone. Write these questions down before you call. Keep the answers in a safe place. This will help you make a clear choice for your family. Take your time with this process. You are doing a great thing for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. Recording these stories is a beautiful way to honor their journey and keep their voice alive for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
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.