DOCTOR'S CHOICE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 13100 NORTHWEST FWY STE 405
HOUSTON, TX 77040 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 9, 2021
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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) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
3
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 DOCTOR'S CHOICE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how DOCTOR'S CHOICE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 63rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
63
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 day13.5 min
Ranks better than about 63% 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 weekends10.5%
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 life95.6%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 visits69.5%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care9.4%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months30.2%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care15.6%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 hospice4.2%
Ranks better than about 15% 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$14,740 · 32nd 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 56.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening80.4%
- Pain assessment96.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening96%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed95.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed91.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life56.9%
- All care steps completed72.1%
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%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care at Doctor's Choice
Doctor's Choice Hospice serves families throughout Houston, Texas, from their office on the Northwest Freeway. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients facing terminal illness. The team works hard to support both the patient and their loved ones during this difficult season of life. They have been a part of the local healthcare community since July 2021. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for any family. That is why having clear information matters so much. You want a team that listens and truly cares about your specific needs. This provider offers services within Harris County to help keep patients comfortable at home or in a facility. It is all about finding the right fit for your unique situation.
About Doctor's Choice Hospice
Doctor's Choice Hospice operates as a for-profit provider in the Houston area. They earned their Medicare certification on July 9, 2021. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal standards for the care they provide to patients. This is a baseline you should always check. For-profit status just means the business is structured differently than a non-profit group. What matters most is how they treat your family every single day. You should look at their quality ratings to see how they perform compared to others. They currently hold a 5 out of 5 star rating for overall quality and care. That is a strong sign of their commitment to clinical excellence. Still, take the time to talk with them directly. Ask them how they manage symptoms and support family caregivers. A good conversation will tell you more than any chart ever could.
Understanding Their Quality Scores
Hospice Care in Houston
Houston is a large city with many choices for hospice care. You will find both large hospital-based programs and smaller, private providers like Doctor's Choice. The thing is, every agency has a different "vibe" when you walk through their doors. Some focus on deep spiritual support. Others lean into high-tech symptom management for complex cases. Because Houston is so big, you have the benefit of many options. But this also makes choosing the right one feel like a heavy task. Start by calling a few offices. See who picks up the phone with warmth and patience. Do they sound rushed or do they take the time to answer your questions? You deserve a partner who makes you feel heard. Don't settle for the first name you see in the directory. Take a moment to compare how they explain their services to you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Provider
Finding the right team is about asking the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at 2:00 AM. This is vital for your peace of mind. Next, ask about their specific experience with your loved one's diagnosis. Do they have a plan for managing pain that works for you? It is also smart to ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling or just basic check-ins? Finally, ask about their staff turnover. A team that stays together often works better together. Listen to your gut during these talks. If a provider cannot give you clear, honest answers, keep looking. You are the advocate for your family member, and you need a team that acts like a true partner in this journey.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time of life is about more than just medical care. It is a time to honor the stories and memories that make your loved one who they are. We can help you save those precious moments for your children and grandchildren to treasure forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HCA HOUSTON HOSPICE & FAMILY CARE
VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS L P
HARBOR HOSPICE OF HOUSTON, LP
THE CARE TEAM HOSPICE
CHOICE HEALTH AT HOME
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