Lower Cape Fear Lifecare
A hospice in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29572
350 Hilton Rd Suite 301, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29572. (843) 848-6480.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 5 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 5of 5 family caregiver rating
- 10of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
5 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 17 hospices serving ZIP code 29572 had 7.5.
The last inspection on record was on Sep 25, 2024: a reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
5 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Sep 2024. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Sep 25, 2024: reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care5 deficiencies
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(6))
The inspectors’ words, 226 words
“Upon patient record review, 2 of 14 (Patient #5, 13) did not have evidence in the patient record that a review was completed of all prescription and non-prescription medications, including herbal remedies that could affect drug therapy. This review includes, but is not limited to: • Effectiveness of drug therapy • Drug side effects • Actual or potential drug interactions • Duplicate drug therapy • Drug therapy currently associated with laboratory monitoring Patient #5: ALF medication profile has Seroquel ordered, where as hospice medication profile does not. Hospice nurse reports medication had been discontinued. Patient #13: During home visit with RN, noted medication discrepancies between hospice med profile and what patient is reportedly taking: Patient is taking Furosemide 20 mg po daily prn for fluid retention. The medication had been discontinued on the hospice medication profile. The patient takes Azithromycin 250 mg po M-W-F prophylactically. The hospice medication profile reflects that the medication was previously discontinued. Guaifenesin ER on medication profile is ordered every 12 hours, but the patient reports that she generally takes only once per day most days prn. Hyzaar 100-12.5 mg 1/2 tab daily po is on hospice medication profile. Patient is taking whole tablet. Patient and RN reported and confirmed that patient is using oxygen 10 L/M via nasal cannula. The hospice record has 9 L/M as most recent prescribed rate 6/11/24.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
The inspectors’ words, 200 words
“Upon patient record review, 2 of 14 (Patient #1,13) did not have evidence the plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including medications and treatments. Patient #1: Admitted 6/13/24 with standing orders for If patient is on Coumadin, draw PT and/or INR monthly and If patient is on Lovenox, draw CBC monthly. However, patient admitted with specific order for Eliquis. The Coumadin and Lovenox standing orders were not discontinued to reflect individualized care planning. Patient #13: Admitted 6/24/23 with standing orders for may initiate hospice standing order: Oxygen via nasal cannula at 1-4 LPM PRN dyspnea or for comfort. Patient also had physician order specifically for 2-4.5 continuous LPM via nasal cannula. Furthermore, at time of survey patient is now on 10 L/M via nasal cannula confirmed by the RN with the hospice record documented 9 L/M and original standing orders still active in the medical record. Patient #13: Patient is taking Furosemide 20 mg po daily prn for fluid retention and Azithromycin 250 mg po M-W-F prophylactically. There is no evidence of an order for these medications that patient has in the home and is taking.”
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Competency evaluation (42 CFR 418.76(c))
The inspectors’ words, 131 words
“Upon personnel record review, 1 of 14 (Personnel #4) did not have evidence in the personnel file that the following competency assessment was performed by the aide with a patient: (This standard applies to all Hospice Aides providing care/service who are directly employed by the hospice or through a contractual agreement.) ·Reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration ·Normal range of motion and positioning ·(A) Bed bath ·(B) Sponge, tub, and shower bath ·(C) Shampoo, sink, tub, and bed ·(D) Nail and skin care ·(E) Oral hygiene ·(F) Toileting and elimination The other subject areas in this section may be evaluated through written examination, oral examination or after observation of a Hospice Aide with a patient. Personnel #4: The agency’s Hospice Aide competency form did not specifically list the above competencies.”
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Hospice aide assignments and duties (42 CFR 418.76(g)(1))
The inspectors’ words, 167 words
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 14 (Patient #13) did not have evidence in the patient record that hospice aide assignments and duties are: • Assigned to a specific patient by a registered nurse that is a member of the interdisciplinary group • Written patient care instructions for a hospice aide must be prepared by a Registered Nurse who is responsible for the supervision of a hospice aide as specified under paragraph (h) of 418.76 • There is evidence in the patient record that the plan of care; indicate what tasks are to be done by the Aide and the frequency of these tasks. The use of “PRN” or “per patient choice”, for any task, whether personal care or non-personal care tasks, are not acceptable Patient #13: Admitted 6/24/23 with orders for oxygen 2-4.5 continuous LPM via nasal cannula, and most recently 6/11/24 with oxygen at 9 LPM continuous via nasal cannula. Hospice aide care plan includes oxygen maintenance only without specifying the high liter flow rate.”
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Authentication (42 CFR 418.104(b))
“Upon patient client record review, 2 of 14 (Patient #15,16) did not have evidence that all entries are legible, clear, complete, and appropriately authenticated and dated in accordance with the organizations policies and procedures and currently accepted standards of practice. Electronic signatures are acceptable as long the hospice is following appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the patient records. Patient #15, 16: DC Summary heading says Mercy Care Hospice instead of Lower Cape Fear which was prior hospice agency name.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2024 | Reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | 5 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Oct 23, 1987.
- Ownership: non-profit.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 18.3 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 9% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 97.4% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 75% at home, 19% in assisted living, 4% in a nursing facility, 1% in a skilled nursing facility, 1% in an inpatient hospice.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 18.3 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 9% |
| Visits near death | 97.4% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- 14 owners or officers are people: Kathryn Leggett (corporate director); Gwendolyn W Whitley (corporate officer); Gwendolyn W Whitley (managing employee (on the payroll)); Jason Pisani (corporate officer); Timothy King (managing employee (on the payroll)); Crystal Dodson (corporate director); Stanley Segal (corporate director); Grant Rush (corporate director); Glen Donovan (corporate director); Donna Esteves (corporate director); Robert P Resh (corporate director); Jewel L Mandeville (corporate director); Kelly Ann Erola (managing employee (on the payroll)); Melissa Combs (managing employee (on the payroll)).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 5 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 92% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 95% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 10 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 98.64% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 79.7% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 10 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 17 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 29572, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 7.5; this one had 5.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Lower Cape Fear Lifecare This hospice | 5 |
| Angelic Health of SC LLC | 6 |
| Sunrise Hospice | 4 |
| Heartland Hospice Services | 6 |
| Medical Services of America Hospice - Coastal | Not given |
| Lower Cape Fear Lifecare | 0 |
| Tidelands Community Hospice/Tidelands Community Ho | 19 |
| Mcleod Hcs - Hospice of the Pee Dee | 11 |
| Gentiva | 10 |
| Amedisys Hospice of South Carolina | 14 |
| United Hospice of the Pee Dee | Not given |
| Caris Healthcare Columbia | Not given |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.