BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HOSPICE-WACO
Provider Information
- Address
- 2911 HERRING AVENUE SUITE 310
WACO, TX 76708 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 5, 1992
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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 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 10 |
15
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 BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HOSPICE-WACO 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 BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HOSPICE-WACO compares to hospices nationwide.
10.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 27th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
50
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 day10.2 min
Ranks better than about 27% 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 weekends8.4%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits74%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 care14.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 months31.4%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 care20%
Ranks better than about 7% 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)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$10,179 · 11th 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 61% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment92.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.6%
- Visits in the last days of life61%
- All care steps completed90.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease7%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco
Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco provides end-of-life care for patients in McLennan County. This provider operates from their office on Herring Avenue in Waco, Texas. They have served the community since 1992. The organization holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means they meet high standards set by an outside group of experts. It shows they work hard to keep quality high for every person they serve. Families can feel good knowing these standards exist. They offer care meant to support comfort and peace for patients at home or in other settings. Their team is ready to help local families manage these difficult times with clear support and medical guidance.
Understanding This Provider
This hospice operates as a for-profit entity. They have maintained their Medicare certification for over three decades. The Joint Commission accreditation is a big deal for families to see. This group checks how the hospice runs its daily business and medical care. They look at safety and how the team works together. Having this stamp of approval proves that the hospice follows national rules for health care. This provider has a team of 15 employees. This group includes 7 registered nurses and 1 physician. They also have 10 volunteers who help with daily tasks. Having a mix of staff and volunteers is common in hospice. It allows them to provide both medical help and personal company for those in their care. You should ask how these roles interact for your loved one.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Waco?
Hospice care in Waco focuses on comfort during a serious illness. The goal is to manage pain and help patients stay at home. This service is for people who are no longer seeking a cure. A team of nurses and doctors works with the family to create a plan. They check on the patient often to adjust medicine and support needs. In this area, you will find teams that include nurses and doctors who know the local hospitals well. This helps when a patient needs to move between different types of care. The staff also includes volunteers who can read to patients or sit with them. That is a helpful touch. Most families find that having this extra help makes the home environment much easier to manage. You are the main partner in this care plan every day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions when you meet with a hospice team. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is a very common concern for families. You should also ask how the team will talk to your regular doctor. Good communication is the key to good care. Ask who will be your main point of contact if you have a question at night. Finally, ask how they handle changes in the patient's condition over time. Do they have a plan for weekends or holidays? You need to know that someone is always available. Write these answers down so you can compare your options. It helps to have a clear picture before you make your final choice for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories worth keeping for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
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.
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.