Heart of Texas Hospice
A hospice in Killeen, Texas 76543
1604 S W S Young Dr Fl 1, Killeen, Texas 76543. (254) 313-9840.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- Not rated family caregiver rating
- 9of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean2
- 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?
8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 24 hospices serving ZIP code 76543 had 4.5.
The last inspection on record was on Jun 26, 2026: a reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission.
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
8 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Jun 2026. 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.
Jun 26, 2026: reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission8 deficiencies
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c))
The inspectors’ words, 108 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 14 active patient records reviewed, most plan of care goals were not measurable, and all were to be completed by discharge/death. For example: Patient to maintain supportive relationship. Participate in desired activities. Meet own self-care needs. Patient/caregiver will understand the pain scale, how to manage pain, how to report pain to hospice and will report pain at a level less than 3 to 4 on a 0 to 10 scale. Fall preventions ongoing. Ensure patient safety, maximize therapeutic effects, and minimize adverse reactions through accurate, responsible and evidence-based drug delivery. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(1))
The inspectors’ words, 207 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 7 of 19 patient records reviewed, the plan of care did not document all services needed for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions. In the record of RRHV#2 comprehensive re-assessments documented that the patient was falling and experienced increased shortness of breath with activity. In the record of RRHV#3 the patient went to an emergency department after falling and fracturing an ankle. In the record for RRHV#4 new problems of constipation and increased agitation were identified. In the record of RRNHV#3 new medications for pain and agitation were added. In the record of RRNHV#9 the patient had ascites, a paracentesis catheter in the LLQ of the abdomen, and is taken to an outside medical facility to have it drained was documented in the initial comprehensive assessment. Later, in a comprehensive re-assessment note, he fell and went to an emergency department for a skin tear and laceration that required suturing. In the record of DC#1 the patient was discharged for extended prognosis. And in the record of DC#2 the patient was discharged for cause. The plan of care was not revised in any of these patients’ records. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Review of the plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(d ))
“Observed in Record Review. In 14 of 14 active patient records reveiwed, the organization did not document its review and revision of the patient’s plan of care. Interdisciplinary group meeting notes did not address patient decline, progress towards desired outcomes and goals, and plans for the following two weeks. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Program activities (42 CFR 418.58(c)(3))
“Observed in Leadership Session. The organization did not act when it did not achieve or sustain planned improvements. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing. Observed in Leadership Session. The organization’s governing body d id not evaluate actions to confirm that they resulted in improvements. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Performance improvement projects (42 CFR 418.58(d)(2))
“Observed in Leadership Session. The organization documented the performance improvement projects being conducted but did not document measurable progress achieved. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Prevention (42 CFR 418.60(a))
The inspectors’ words, 158 words
“Observed in Patient Home. In 1 of 3 home visits where staff wore gloves, an RN did not consistently perform hand hygiene between donning and doffing gloves as required by policy at the visit for RRHV#3. In addition, she entered the clean section of her visit bag without performing hand hygiene after doffing gloves and also reached into the clean section of her bag several times while wearing gloves. This did not comply with the requirements as required in the Bag Technique policy IC.60. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing. Observed in Patient Home. In 2 of 4 home visits conducted, an RN used a Cavi Wipe to clean equipment but did not sustain contact time of 3 minutes as required by manufacturer’s directions for use and the Cleaning and Management of Supplies and Equipment policy IC.20 at visits RRHV#2 and RRHV#3. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Education (42 CFR 418.60(c))
“Observed in Competency Session. In 1 of 11 HR files reviewed, documentation of annual education on OSHA blood borne pathogens was not found in the personnel records of HR#3 MD. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
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Federal, state, local laws & regulations (42 CFR 418.116)
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 2 live discharge records reviewed, leaders did not follow Patient Discharge policy PE.20 for notifying patients that the hospice benefit would end at the time of discharge. This was found in the patient record RRDC#2 where the discharge was for cause. According to the Administrator the organization does not provide these to patients being discharged. This observation was reviewed with the Administrator and Director of Nursing.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2026 | Reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission | 8 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Dec 7, 2017.
- Ownership: for-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): 9.8 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 4.2% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 95.8% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 39% at home, 16% in assisted living, 1% in a nursing facility, 44% in a skilled nursing facility.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 9.8 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 4.2% |
| Visits near death | 95.8% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Heart of Texas Hospice-Hill Country LLC owns 100% directly since Sep 18, 2015.
- Focused Health Services LLC runs it.
- 12 owners or officers are people: Jason Bootz (owns 5% or more through other companies, 33.34%); Darran Dollarhide (owns 5% or more through other companies, 33.33%); Joe Chapman (owns 5% or more through other companies, 33.33%); Amberley Jackson (managing employee (on the payroll), 1%); Alan J Vaught (managing employee (under contract)); Darran Dollarhide (corporate officer); Darran Dollarhide (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Jason Bootz (corporate officer); Jason Bootz (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Joe Chapman (corporate officer); Joe Chapman (managing employee (on the payroll)); Joe Chapman (runs it (operational or managerial control)).
- 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.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Texas Hospice LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Sep 18, 2015 |
| Heart of Texas Hospice-Hill Country LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 100% | Sep 18, 2015 |
| Focused Health Services LLC | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | 100% | Sep 18, 2015 |
What do families say?
- CMS gives no family caregiver survey rating: “The number of cases is too small to report Star Ratings.”
- In CMS’s survey of family caregivers (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 82% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 81% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 9 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 97.18% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 56% 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 | Not rated |
| 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 | 9 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 24 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 76543, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 4.5; this one had 8.
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 |
|---|---|
| Heart of Texas Hospice This hospice | 8 |
| Gentiva | 8 |
| Baylor Scott & White Hospice - Temple | 8 |
| Amedisys Hospice of San Antonio | 14 |
| Elara Caring | Not given |
| Compassus - Central Texas | Not given |
| Alpha Omega Hospice | 10 |
| New Century Hospice of Austin | 9 |
| Heart to Heart Hospice of Austin Ltd | 5 |
| Bluebonnet Health Services | 0 |
| Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care of Texas | 8 |
| Embrace Hospice | 2 |
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.