HEART OF TEXAS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1604 S W S YOUNG DR FL 1
KILLEEN, TX 76543 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 7, 2017
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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) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
5
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 HEART OF TEXAS HOSPICE 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEART OF TEXAS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 23rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
87
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 day9.8 min
Ranks better than about 23% 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 weekends4.2%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 life95.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 visits51.3%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 care5.7%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 months47.2%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 care8.9%
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 hospice0.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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$24,848 · 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 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 56% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.7%
- Visits in the last days of life56%
- All care steps completed96.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer10%
- Dementia33%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Killeen
Heart of Texas Hospice serves families in Killeen, Texas, and the surrounding Bell County area. They offer comfort-focused care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Their team works to manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional support to the entire family. Choosing the right hospice is a major decision for any family. This team has been active in the community since December 2017. They focus on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or local care facilities. The goal is always to improve quality of life during a difficult season. That said, having a local team you can trust makes a real difference. They understand the unique needs of the Killeen area and strive to meet those needs every single day.
About HEART OF TEXAS HOSPICE
Heart of Texas Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They first earned their Medicare certification on December 7, 2017. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal standards for patient care and safety. This is a big deal because it ensures they follow specific rules for quality and reporting. Families should know that this provider maintains an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This score reflects how they perform across several key areas of care. They also hold a 4.5 out of 5 star rating for their quality of care. That score comes from the CMS Hospice Care Index. It tracks how well a provider manages common patient needs like pain control and breathing issues. It is helpful to see these numbers when you are comparing your options in Bell County.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Killeen
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different path that focuses on comfort rather than a cure. In Killeen, you have several choices for end-of-life care. Most programs provide a team that includes a nurse, a social worker, and a chaplain. They visit the patient wherever they call home. The thing is, hospice is meant to support the patient and the family together. It provides relief from physical pain and mental stress. You can start hospice care as soon as a doctor confirms a prognosis of six months or less. Many families wish they had started these services sooner. Early care allows the team to build a real relationship with the patient. This extra time can change everything for the better.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions before you pick a provider. Start by asking how quickly their nurses can reach your home during an emergency. You also want to know how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. It helps to ask who will be on your specific care team. Will the same nurse visit every time? Consistency matters for building trust. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. A good hospice program provides grief counseling for months following the passing of a loved one. Do not feel rushed to sign any papers. Take your time to find a team that feels like a good fit for your family's needs.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be kept safe. We can help you record these stories so they last for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.