VARA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1520 E. SAN PEDRO, SUITE 102
LAREDO, TX 78041 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 7, 2020
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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 | 0 |
3
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 VARA 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 VARA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 48th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
17
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 day12.1 min
Ranks better than about 48% 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 weekends10.6%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 life90.3%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 visits68.6%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 care28%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 months8%
Ranks better than about 96% 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%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 hospice4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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)91st 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$12,641 · 21st 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 33.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment86.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life33.3%
- All care steps completed93.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia24%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Laredo
Vara Hospice serves families in Laredo, Texas, from their office on East San Pedro. They focus on providing comfort and dignity to patients nearing the end of life. Choosing the right team makes a real difference during this difficult time. Their staff works hard to manage pain and support the emotional needs of your loved ones. You deserve a team that listens to your goals and respects your wishes. That is exactly what they aim to do for every family they serve in Webb County. Whether you need help at home or in a facility, they offer skilled care close to home. Having local support means your care team can get to you quickly. And that provides a lot of peace of mind when you need it most.
About Vara Hospice
Vara Hospice has been certified by Medicare since October 2020. They operate as a for-profit provider, which is common in the hospice industry today. What most people don't realize is that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same strict federal rules. This keeps the level of care consistent across the board. You should know that for-profit status does not change the basic services they must provide. They still cover medications, equipment, and nursing visits for your family member. Their office is at 1520 E. San Pedro, Suite 102, right here in the heart of Laredo. If you have questions about their specific programs, the best move is to call them at (956) 285-4327. Ask them how their team coordinates with your primary doctor. Clear communication is the secret to getting the best care possible for your loved one.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Laredo
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. It is not about giving up or rushing the end of life. Instead, it is about shifting the focus from curing an illness to managing symptoms like pain or anxiety. In a city like Laredo, you have access to several hospice options, but they are not all the same. Some teams are smaller and offer a very personal touch. Others might be part of a larger network with more resources. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You get a nurse, a social worker, and sometimes a chaplain or volunteer. They all work together to support the patient and the family. Most people find that hospice care helps them spend more quality time together. It takes the stress of medical chores off your shoulders. So, you can spend your energy just being a son, daughter, or spouse.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a big decision. Do not be afraid to ask tough questions until you feel comfortable. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that someone is always available. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific philosophy on comfort. Third, find out how they support family members after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the care they provide. And finally, ask how they keep your family doctor in the loop. You want to make sure everyone is on the same page. If a provider seems rushed or hesitant to answer, keep looking. Trust your gut feeling. A good hospice team will be patient, kind, and ready to walk this road with you.
Preserve Your Family's Story
This time is about more than medical care. It is a chance to capture the memories and stories that define your loved one's life. Start gathering their history today.
Start Your Legacy ProjectOther Hospice Providers Nearby
LAREDO SUPERIOR HOMECARE LLC
SERENITY HOME CARE SERVICES
ALFA HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE, LLC
LA ESPERANZA HOME HEALTH INC
LAREDO GENTLE HANDS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
ALTUS HOSPICE
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