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 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) | 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 assessment96.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life56.2%
- All care steps completed96.7%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Houston Hospice
Houston Hospice serves families in Houston, Texas from their location on Holcombe. This provider has offered hospice services since 1988. They operate as a non-profit organization. Their team holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This third-party group checks that hospice programs meet high standards for patient safety. It means an outside group reviewed their daily work. That helps families know the provider follows clear rules for medical care.
Provider Background
Houston Hospice functions as a freestanding hospice provider. Being non-profit means they often reinvest extra funds back into their programs. They have been certified by Medicare for over three decades. The accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care shows they meet specific clinical goals. This group looks at how a hospice handles medicine and records. They also check how the staff supports dying patients. Most people do not know that accrediting bodies visit locations to see if they follow national safety rules. This helps ensure that the care you receive meets set standards. It is a sign of a commitment to the community. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific history during your first visit.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Houston?
Hospice care in Houston focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It keeps patients at home or in a facility near their loved ones. Houston Hospice employs 142 people total. This staff includes 56 registered nurses and 14 licensed practical nurses. They also work with three volunteers. These professionals visit patients to manage pain and help with daily needs. Nurses lead the medical care. They watch for changes in the health of the patient. Social workers and aides often join the team to provide extra support. The goal is to make each day as peaceful as possible. It is a team effort. You will see different faces who all have one goal. They want to make sure the patient stays comfortable in the city they call home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a serious step for your family. You should ask questions that help you understand their daily routine. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain management and what medicines they provide. Third, ask how often a nurse will visit the patient in a typical week. Finally, ask if they provide support for family members after a death occurs. These answers will tell you if the provider matches your specific needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity. You deserve to know exactly how they will care for your loved one. Take notes during your talk. It helps to have the information written down.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is precious. Recording memories now creates a gift for future generations to cherish forever.
Start PreservingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS L P
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Helpful Guides for Families
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
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.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hospice conversations with your loved ones. Get expert scripts, signs it is time, and tools to find quality care near you with Hospice Scout.
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.