HOSPICE OF WICHITA FALLS
Provider Information
- Address
- 5020 WILBARGER ST
VERNON, TX 76384 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 18, 1988
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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) | 69 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 20 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
201
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 HOSPICE OF WICHITA FALLS reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 HOSPICE OF WICHITA FALLS compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
233
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends7.3%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 life97.7%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 visits53.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months40.7%
Ranks better than about 38% 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%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 hospice3.3%
Ranks better than about 22% 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)98th 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$17,822 · 50th 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 64.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.4%
- Pain assessment98.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.1%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.7%
- Visits in the last days of life64.3%
- All care steps completed93.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Wichita Falls in Vernon
Hospice of Wichita Falls provides compassionate end-of-life care for residents in Vernon, Texas. They serve families across Wilbarger County from their office on Wilbarber Street. Their dedicated team focuses on comfort, dignity, and support during a difficult time. Choosing the right hospice partner is a big decision for any family. That is why having a local provider with a long history matters so much. They offer skilled care that helps patients stay as comfortable as possible in their own homes. It is about quality of life. This team works hard to ensure that every patient feels heard and valued throughout their journey. They bring medical, emotional, and spiritual support directly to the patient's bedside. This local presence means they understand the unique needs of the Vernon community perfectly.
About Hospice of Wichita Falls
Hospice of Wichita Falls operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means the focus stays strictly on patient needs rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since October 18, 1988. That is over 35 years of service to the region. Longevity like that speaks volumes about their stability and experience. Most families find comfort knowing the provider has a deep history of serving the area. They follow strict federal guidelines to ensure care meets high standards. The thing is, hospice is more than just medicine. It involves a whole team of nurses, social workers, and volunteers working together. They provide a safety net for the family and the patient alike. You are not just choosing a provider; you are choosing a partner who knows how to walk this path with you and your loved ones.
Quality Care Recognition
Understanding Hospice Care in Vernon
Hospice care is a specialized form of support for people with serious illnesses. It shifts the focus from trying to cure an illness to improving daily comfort. In a town like Vernon, access to reliable hospice care is a vital resource. The team comes to you. Whether you live in a house or a care facility, they bring the necessary equipment and expertise. Many people wait too long to ask for help. That is a mistake. The truth is that hospice offers support much earlier than most people think. It provides a team to manage pain and help with the emotional toll of a serious condition. And it gives family caregivers a much-needed break from the daily stress. You deserve to focus on being a family member rather than a nurse. That is what this care is for.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to choose the best care for your loved one. Do not feel rushed to make a decision. Here are a few questions that help you get clear answers. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is always just a phone call away. Second, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of their mission. Third, ask about their experience with your specific health condition. It helps to know they have seen it before. Finally, ask if they provide volunteers to sit with patients. Sometimes having a friendly person to talk to makes all the difference. Keep these questions handy when you call to interview them. It will help you feel more in control.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one's life is full of stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. Capture these memories now to ensure their legacy lives on forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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