HOUSTON HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1905 HOLCOMBE
HOUSTON, TX 77030 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 9, 1988
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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) | 56 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 14 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
142
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 HOUSTON HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 HOUSTON HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 71st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
142
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 day14.4 min
Ranks better than about 71% 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 weekends8.8%
Ranks better than about 60% 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%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 visits70.2%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 care14.5%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 months21.7%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 care9%
Ranks better than about 41% 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)99th 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$9,385 · 9th 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 56.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment97.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life56.2%
- All care steps completed97.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer37%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Providing Compassionate Care in Houston
Houston Hospice serves families across the Houston area from their location on Holcombe Boulevard. This provider offers end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and support for the whole family. They have been a part of the local medical landscape for many decades. Choosing the right hospice is a deeply personal decision that impacts your daily life during a difficult time. Their team works to manage symptoms so that your loved one can spend their time in peace. It is about making every moment count when time feels short. Families in Harris County often look for providers that balance professional medical expertise with true heart. That is exactly what you should expect from a hospice partner. They are there to walk beside you, not just to handle the medical details of care.
About Houston Hospice
Houston Hospice is a non-profit organization. This is a big deal for many families. It means their primary focus is on serving the patient rather than meeting profit goals. They have been Medicare certified since December 9, 1988. That is over 35 years of experience serving the local community. This long history shows they understand the specific needs of families in Houston. Medicare certification also means they must follow strict federal rules to keep their license. You deserve to know that your chosen provider meets these national standards for safety and care. They have seen many changes in healthcare over the years. Yet, their commitment to their mission remains steady. When you choose a non-profit, you often get a team that is deeply tied to the local community. That sense of belonging can make a world of difference when you are feeling lost.
Quality of Care Insight
Understanding Hospice Care in Houston
Houston is a massive medical hub. You have many hospice options to choose from in Harris County. The thing is, not all hospices offer the exact same services. Some focus heavily on home-based care. Others might have dedicated inpatient units for when symptoms become too hard to manage at home. You need to ask what a provider offers in your specific zip code. Does the team come to you 24/7? Are they available on weekends or holidays? Most hospice care happens right where the patient lives. This could be a private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The goal is to keep your loved one in a familiar space. But having a backup plan for when things get tough is also smart. Always check if your chosen provider has a local office nearby so they can reach you quickly when you need them most.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should never feel rushed when picking a hospice team. Take a moment to write down your questions before you call. First, ask how quickly they can respond to an emergency call in the middle of the night. You need to know that help is only a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor who specializes in this. Third, ask about their volunteer program. Volunteers can provide extra support for the patient or give caregivers a much-needed break. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one needs to go to a hospital for a short time. Will the hospice team stay involved in that care? These answers help you see if their values match your own family needs. It is okay to be picky. You are choosing a team to care for someone you love dearly.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
The stories and memories shared during this time are precious. We offer tools to help you capture these moments and keep them safe for future generations to cherish.
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