VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS L P
Provider Information
- Address
- 3131 EASTSIDE STREET SUITE 200
HOUSTON, TX 77098 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 10, 1989
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
104
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 VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS L P reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS L P compares to hospices nationwide.
14.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 70th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
130
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 day14.2 min
Ranks better than about 70% 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 weekends10.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 visits60.6%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care8.2%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 months36.7%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 care12.2%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)97th 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$15,263 · 35th 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 73% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.7%
- Pain assessment98.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.3%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.6%
- Visits in the last days of life73%
- All care steps completed96.0%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Houston
VITAS Healthcare of Texas L P provides hospice services to families throughout Houston, Texas. As a freestanding hospice, they focus on end of life care for those who need it most. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means an outside group checked their work to see if they meet high safety standards. It is one way to show they care about their daily performance. The team offers support from their location on Eastside Street. They serve patients across Harris County with a focus on meeting physical and emotional needs. Having a local team helps families get the care they need close to home. That is a clear benefit for everyone involved.
About VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS L P
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They earned their Medicare certification back in late 1989. That is a long time to serve a community. Their staff includes 104 total employees who work to assist patients. This includes 36 registered nurses and 5 licensed practical nurses who provide direct care. One physician also works with the team to guide medical choices. The Joint Commission accreditation adds another layer of review for their clinical processes. They check if the agency follows strict rules for patient safety and care quality. Families should know that this accreditation is voluntary but shows a desire to meet high standards. The combination of long service history and professional oversight helps define their operations. It gives a clear picture of how they organize their daily care for local residents.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in HOUSTON?
Hospice in Houston centers on comfort and personal dignity. The care teams come to your home or a facility to manage symptoms. They handle pain and other needs so family members can focus on spending time together. A typical team includes nurses, aides, and a doctor. At this agency, the staff is large enough to ensure consistent coverage for their patients. Registered nurses make up a large portion of the team. This ensures that skilled medical eyes are on every patient. The goal is to keep the patient calm and comfortable in their own space. Most families find that having professional help makes a difference during a hard time. It changes the daily routine from one of stress to one of support. And that is the main purpose of hospice care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
- How quickly can a nurse arrive if there is an emergency at night?
- Can you explain how your team manages pain and other symptoms for my loved one?
- What specific training do your staff members have for this type of care?
- How do you keep family members informed about changes in the patient's condition?
Asking these questions helps you learn how a provider handles daily tasks. You want to feel confident in the team you pick. Take your time to get clear answers. The right fit makes a big difference for your family. Do not feel rushed when you talk to them. It is your right to know how they will help your loved one stay comfortable. Good communication is the key to a positive experience.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Preserve the memories and wisdom of your loved ones for future generations to cherish and learn from during this time.
Start Your LegacyOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.
Highest-Rated Hospice Providers in Orange County, CA 2026
22 Orange County, CA hospices tie at a perfect 10 on CMS's Hospice Care Index. See all 22 A to Z, and which 9 also carry a Medicare family survey star.
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.