ALTUS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 201 KINGWOOD MEDICAL DRIVE, SUITE B500
KINGWOOD, TX 77339 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 29, 2010
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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) | 8 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
14
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 ALTUS 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ALTUS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
141
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 day13.1 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends4.5%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 life95.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits66.5%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 care9.8%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months32.6%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 care16.7%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$23,324 · 76th 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 78.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.9%
- Visits in the last days of life78.3%
- All care steps completed98.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer12%
- Dementia40%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Altus Hospice in Kingwood
Altus Hospice serves families in Kingwood, Texas, from its office on Kingwood Medical Drive. This provider offers end-of-life care for patients needing comfort and support. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, or CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they meet high standards of care. Being CHAP accredited shows a clear commitment to quality and safety for the people they serve in Harris County.
About ALTUS HOSPICE
Altus Hospice is a for-profit provider that has been Medicare certified since June 2010. This long history shows they have been part of the local health system for many years. Medicare certification is a standard requirement for hospice agencies to receive government funding. It means they follow specific federal rules for patient care and agency operations. Families should know that accreditation adds another layer of oversight beyond basic Medicare rules. CHAP accreditation is a voluntary process. Agencies choose to undergo this extra review to prove they go above the standard requirements for their patients. It is a sign that the agency wants to hold itself to a higher bar every single day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in KINGWOOD?
Hospice care in Kingwood focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. This approach centers on managing pain and supporting emotional needs. The team at Altus Hospice includes 8 registered nurses who manage medical care for their patients. They employ 14 staff members in total to coordinate these daily services. They do not currently use volunteers in their care model. This means their professional staff handles the direct patient support. The team works to keep patients at home rather than in a hospital. This can be very helpful for families who want to keep their loved ones in a familiar setting. A smaller, dedicated team often helps build a consistent relationship between the nurses and the family members they support.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Families have many things to consider when picking a hospice team. You should ask about how the agency manages pain relief for patients. It is also good to ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You might ask about their process for supporting family caregivers during this time. Finally, ask how the agency handles communication after hours. You deserve to know who to call when questions arise at night or on the weekend. Getting clear answers to these questions will help you feel more confident in your choice. Take your time to talk with the staff about these specific concerns before you sign any paperwork.
Preserving Your Family History
Your family has a unique story that deserves to be remembered for years to come. Record these important memories now to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
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.
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.