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 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 |
| 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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About VARCO HOSPICE LLC
VARCO HOSPICE LLC serves the Houston area from its office on South Dairy Ashford Road. This provider offers end of life support to local families in Harris County. They have been Medicare certified since January 2019. The team holds accreditation from CHAP. This means an outside group checked their work to meet high standards. It is a sign of their commitment to quality care.
Provider Background
This is a for-profit hospice agency. They operate as a freestanding hospice, which means they focus only on hospice care. The agency is small, with two employees total. This includes one registered nurse on staff. They do not currently use volunteers. Families should know that accreditation from CHAP shows the agency follows strict rules for safety and care. It is helpful to ask how they plan to manage care visits with their current team size. You should always check if their schedule matches your needs for your loved one. Understanding how they handle after-hours calls is also very helpful. They have been active in the Houston area for several years now.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in HOUSTON?
Hospice care in Houston focuses on comfort rather than a cure for illness. Teams provide medicine, supplies, and emotional support to the patient and family. In this area, you can choose from many different hospice providers. Each agency has its own team structure. For instance, this specific provider has one registered nurse. They operate as a small team to support their patients. Most agencies in Texas provide care in your own home or a care facility. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and pain free. You can meet with the team to discuss how their specific staff will visit your home. Ask about how they coordinate with your primary doctor. Local agencies must follow federal rules to ensure safety for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one at home?
- Who do I call if I have a question in the middle of the night?
- How does your team help manage pain and other symptoms?
- What specific training does your staff have for this type of care?
These questions help you see if the agency is a good fit. Be clear about what you need. A good provider will listen and answer your questions with honesty. Take your time with this choice. It is okay to talk to more than one agency before you decide.
Preserve Family Memories
Your family history is a gift. We offer tools to help you record stories and preserve your legacy for future generations during this important time.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
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.