EXCELACARE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 6801 SANGER AVENUE, STE 260
WACO, TX 76710 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 21, 2012
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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) | 23 |
| Physicians | 5 |
| Volunteers | 9 |
55
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 EXCELACARE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how EXCELACARE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 18th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
220
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 day9.3 min
Ranks better than about 18% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life92.6%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 visits75.5%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 care5.2%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 months42.3%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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$24,304 · 79th 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 67.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.6%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia31%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Waco
Interim Hospice of Granbury provides end-of-life care for families in the Waco area. Located on Sanger Avenue, this provider focuses on comfort and dignity for patients facing a life-limiting illness. They offer a team-based approach to manage pain and improve quality of life. The goal is to keep patients as comfortable as possible in their own homes. That is the core of their mission. Whether it is nursing care or emotional support, they work to meet the unique needs of every person they serve. Being in McLennan County, they are a local resource for those who need guidance during a difficult season. It is about making every moment count when time matters most.
About Interim Hospice of Granbury
This is a for-profit provider that has served the community since 2012. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal standards for the care they provide to patients. That is a big deal because it ensures they follow strict rules for safety and service. Choosing a hospice provider can feel like a heavy task. But knowing their history can help put your mind at ease. They have been active in the field for over a decade. This experience often helps them understand the local medical landscape better than newer groups. You should always feel free to ask them about their staff and how they handle after-hours calls. A good hospice team should feel like an extension of your own family.
Quality Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Waco
Hospice is not a place you go to die. It is a type of care that comes to you. In Waco, families can choose from several providers to help manage symptoms like pain, anxiety, or breathing trouble. The thing is, most people wait too long to start these services. They often think hospice is only for the very last days of life. That is a common mistake. You can actually use these services for months if you meet the medical criteria. And the sooner you start, the more support your loved one gets. It is about shifting the focus from curing a disease to living well with one. Medicare covers these services for eligible patients. This means there is usually no cost to the family for the care provided by the hospice team.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to pick the team that feels right for your loved one. When you call a provider, ask these questions to get a better sense of how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor who specializes in this. Third, ask how often a nurse will visit your home. Some providers visit more often than others. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to the family after the patient passes away. Grief support is a huge part of the hospice benefit. Don't be afraid to ask for these details. You deserve clear answers.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories and memories. Now is the perfect time to record those precious moments before they fade. We help you save these stories for future generations.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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BLUEBONNET HEALTH SERVICES
ALAMO HOSPICE OF WACO
COMPASSUS - CENTRAL TEXAS
BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HOSPICE-WACO
PROVIDENCE HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
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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.