VARCO HOSPICE LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1880 SOUTH DAIRY ASHFORD RD, SUITE 401
HOUSTON, TX 77077 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 25, 2019
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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 |
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 VARCO HOSPICE LLC 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VARCO HOSPICE LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
7.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 6th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
61
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 day7.3 min
Ranks better than about 6% 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%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 life66.7%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 visits87.7%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 care10.2%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 months27.6%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 care14.3%
Ranks better than about 19% 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%
Ranks better than about 37% 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$24,711 · 81st 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.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia46%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VARCO HOSPICE LLC in Houston
VARCO HOSPICE LLC serves families in Houston, Texas, from its office on South Dairy Ashford Road. This freestanding hospice provider offers care for those facing life-limiting illnesses. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2019. The team holds accreditation from CHAP. This means an outside group checked their work to see if it meets high standards. They focus on providing support to patients and their loved ones during difficult times. Choosing the right care team is a major step. Having this accreditation helps show that they follow specific rules for patient safety and comfort. They work hard to meet the needs of those they serve in Harris County.
About VARCO HOSPICE LLC
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have held Medicare certification for several years. Accreditation from CHAP is a positive sign for any family. CHAP stands for Community Health Accreditation Partner. They visit agencies to make sure the care follows strict national rules. It is a way to ensure quality remains consistent. The staff includes one registered nurse. They also work with a small team to manage daily needs. While the team size is lean, they must still meet the same federal quality rules as larger agencies. Families should know that accreditation is voluntary. It shows the agency wants to go above and beyond basic state requirements. You can feel better knowing an outside group reviewed their practices. They aim to provide steady support every single day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in HOUSTON?
Hospice care in Houston focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team comes to wherever you call home. This could be a private house or a care facility. They provide medical care, emotional support, and help with daily tasks. The team typically includes a registered nurse and other support staff. They visit on a schedule that fits the patient. Nurses manage pain and other symptoms to keep the patient at ease. Social workers help with the emotional side of things for the whole family. It is about quality of life. The goal is to make every day as peaceful as possible. You are in charge of the care plan. They listen to what the patient wants most. This allows for a very personal experience during a hard time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how the team handles pain management after hours. You need to know who will answer the phone at three in the morning. Ask how often a nurse will visit the home. It is also wise to ask about their experience with specific conditions. Do they have special training for your loved one's needs? You can ask how they support family members who are grieving. Find out if they have volunteers who can sit with the patient. Ask about their plan for emergencies. A good agency will answer these questions clearly and with patience. They should never make you feel rushed. Take your time to get the answers you need for your peace of mind.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We can help you record those stories and save them for your family to cherish forever.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.
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.