HERITAGE HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
Provider Information
- Address
- 5070 KINSEY DRIVE
TYLER, TX 75703 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 14, 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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
27
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 HERITAGE HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS 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 HERITAGE HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS compares to hospices nationwide.
9.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 21st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
63
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 day9.6 min
Ranks better than about 21% 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 weekends4.6%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 life90.8%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 visits50.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 months37.5%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care15%
Ranks better than about 17% 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)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$22,674 · 73rd 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 37% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.8%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed95.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.7%
- Visits in the last days of life37%
- All care steps completed92.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease34%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Other conditions7%
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 Tyler
Heritage Hospice of East Texas serves families throughout the Tyler, Texas area. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses. Their team works hard to manage pain and provide emotional support when it matters most. Choosing the right hospice is a major decision for your family. It helps to have a team that knows the community well. Heritage Hospice has been part of the Tyler healthcare landscape for over a decade. They bring a steady hand and a calm presence to every home they visit. You deserve to know that your loved ones are in capable, caring hands. Their goal is simple: to make every day count for the people you love most. That is the true heart of hospice care.
About HERITAGE HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
Heritage Hospice of East Texas is a for-profit provider located at 5070 Kinsey Drive in Smith County. They have been Medicare certified since June 14, 2013. This long history shows a commitment to meeting strict federal standards for care. Being Medicare certified means they follow specific rules to keep patients safe and comfortable. For-profit status is common in the hospice world, but every agency chooses how to focus its resources. What matters most is the care they provide to your family every single day. They have built a track record of service in Tyler that spans many years. You should always feel free to ask about their specific staff ratios or how they handle after-hours calls. Transparency is a sign of a good partner. They are there to walk this path with you, step by step.
Understanding Hospice Care in TYLER
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. Many people think hospice is just for the final few days of life. But that is a myth. The reality is that hospice works best when families start early. It brings a team of nurses, social workers, and aides right to your door. In Tyler, you have access to several high-quality options, but not all are the same. The thing is, hospice is not a place you go. It is a service that comes to you, whether that is at home or in a facility. It covers medications, medical equipment, and supplies related to a loved one's illness. That takes a huge weight off your shoulders. You get to focus on being a family again. That is the main goal of this kind of care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider feels heavy, but asking the right questions can give you peace of mind. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You also need to know how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. It is smart to ask who will be on the primary care team. Will you see the same nurse every week? That consistency matters a lot. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Grief support is a vital part of hospice care. You are looking for a team that listens to your concerns. Don't be afraid to ask for clarity on anything that feels confusing. A good provider will be happy to answer your questions until you feel comfortable.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your family history is a treasure. We can help you record the memories, stories, and wisdom of your loved ones so they live on for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.