ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPICE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 219 S CAGE BLVD STE 15
PHARR, TX 78577 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 16, 2013
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
8
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 ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPICE CARE 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 ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPICE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 14th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
8
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day8.8 min
Ranks better than about 14% 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 life94.1%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 visits78.4%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months70.4%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 care25.9%
Ranks better than about 2% 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)52nd 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$23,891 · 78th 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.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Joseph's Hospice Care in Pharr
St. Joseph's Hospice Care serves residents in Pharr, Texas, and the surrounding Hidalgo County area. This provider offers end-of-life support as a freestanding hospice agency. They have maintained Medicare certification for their services since May of 2013. The agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This status shows they meet specific standards for patient safety and quality performance. Families in the Rio Grande Valley can look to this provider for care options that meet federal requirements for hospice support.
About St. Joseph's Hospice Care
This agency operates as a for-profit organization. It employs a team of eight staff members to manage daily operations and clinical care. The professional team includes one physician, one registered nurse, and one licensed practical nurse. They do not currently report the use of volunteers in their care delivery. The ACHC accreditation is a key detail to notice here. This group performs independent reviews to ensure agencies follow best practices for patient care. It matters because it provides a layer of oversight beyond basic state rules. It shows that the agency invites outside experts to check their work. When you choose a provider, knowing they seek this extra level of review is helpful. It tells you they aim for high standards in their daily operations. You can feel more confident about the care path they provide for your loved one.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Pharr?
Hospice care in Pharr focuses on comfort rather than curing an illness. The goal is to improve the quality of each day for someone with a serious condition. A team approach works best here. At St. Joseph's Hospice Care, the team includes a physician and nursing staff who coordinate medical needs. They help manage pain and other symptoms at home or in a facility. This team works to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. They also provide support for the family throughout the process. The staff size is eight people. This small group allows for a focused approach to the needs of each patient. You should ask how they handle after-hours calls or weekend needs. Clear communication is a major part of good hospice care. Always check how the team plans to involve you in every decision about your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a partner for end-of-life care is a big decision for any family. You should feel prepared to ask direct questions during your first meeting. Here are a few things to consider. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to the home if a sudden problem happens at night. Find out which staff members will visit the home most often. It is also wise to ask how they handle changes in the patient's condition. You might ask what specific comfort measures they offer for pain relief. Make sure to ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do not be afraid to ask for details about their experience with specific health conditions. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions with patience and care. You deserve to have all the facts before you make your choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with loved ones is precious. Capturing their memories and life lessons can provide comfort for generations to come.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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