BUENA VIDA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 810 HIGHWAY 6 S #102
HOUSTON, TX 77079 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 11, 2020
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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) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
2
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 BUENA VIDA 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 BUENA VIDA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
6.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 3rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
17
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 day6.4 min
Ranks better than about 3% 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 weekends4.5%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 life70%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 visits90.6%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 months34.1%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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)85th 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$22,480 · 72nd 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 1 required care step for new patients here.
- Visits in the last days of life10%
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%
- Dementia35%
- Lung and respiratory disease17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Buena Vida Hospice
Buena Vida Hospice serves the Houston area from its office on Highway 6 South. This provider offers end of life support to families within Harris County. They hold certification from Medicare and have earned accreditation from CHAP. This means an outside group checked their work to make sure they follow high standards. Choosing a local provider often helps with quick response times for your loved one. Their team focuses on managing comfort and dignity during a difficult season of life. They have been active in the Medicare program since September 2020. This allows them to bill for services under federal guidelines. Families should look at these details when they compare local options. It helps to understand the specific credentials of the team you pick. Getting the right support makes a big difference for everyone involved in care.
Understanding This Provider
Buena Vida Hospice operates as a for-profit entity. This status does not change the medical goals of the care team. They must still meet the same rules as non-profit groups to stay in the Medicare system. The CHAP accreditation is a mark of quality. This group sends experts to visit the office and review how the staff handles patient records and safety plans. They check that the provider follows all rules for hospice care. You can feel better knowing a third party reviewed their operations. The team includes one registered nurse who coordinates medical needs for their patients. They keep their staff small with two total employees on record. This size can mean you get very personal attention from the same faces. You should ask how they plan to cover needs if that nurse is away or busy. Small teams work hard to stay connected with every family they serve.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Houston?
Hospice care in Houston relies on a team approach to manage pain and comfort. You will find different models of care in this large city. Some agencies have large teams while others like Buena Vida Hospice keep their staff small. This provider lists one registered nurse and no outside volunteers or physicians on their current record. That means your primary contact will likely be that nurse. They spend their time visiting patients where they live. This could be a private home or an assisted living center. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable and out of the hospital. You should ask how they handle after hours calls or urgent needs in the middle of the night. A smaller team can provide a very direct line of communication for your family. Ask how they coordinate with your primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a new hospice agency can feel heavy. But asking the right questions makes the process much clearer. Start by asking how they handle emergencies after normal business hours. You need to know who will answer the phone at three in the morning. Ask how often the nurse will visit your home. You should also ask how they help with supplies like hospital beds or medicine. It is helpful to ask how they handle changes in a patient condition. Ask them what their plan is if you feel the care is not meeting your needs. You have the right to change providers if the fit is not correct. Take your time to get answers that make you feel at peace. Write down the answers so you can look at them later. Clear communication helps everyone stay focused on the comfort of your loved one.
Preserve Your Family History
Your family has a unique story that deserves to be remembered for generations. Start capturing those memories and wisdom today.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
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.
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.
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.