Oklahoma Hospice Regulations & Licensing: How to Verify Your Provider is Legitimate

Sarah sat in the sunroom of her mother’s Oklahoma City home, reviewing a stack of brochures from four different hospice providers. They all looked professional. They all promised compassionate care. But after reading a news story about hospice fraud in another state, she couldn’t shake one nagging question: How do I know these providers are actually legitimate?

Her mother’s oncologist had recommended hospice, and Sarah wanted to make the right choice. But unlike checking a doctor’s license online—something she could do in five minutes on the Oklahoma Medical Board website—she had no idea how to verify a hospice provider’s credentials.

If you’re in Sarah’s position, wondering how to confirm your hospice provider is properly licensed and regulated in Oklahoma, you’re asking exactly the right question. Let’s walk through everything you need to know about Oklahoma hospice licensing, how to verify credentials, and what red flags to watch for.

Quick Answer

To verify a hospice license in Oklahoma, call the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Home Services Division at (405) 426-8470 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm). Unlike some states, Oklahoma does not have an online license verification database for hospice providers. You can also request to see the physical license during an initial visit—Oklahoma law requires hospices to display their license conspicuously at their office. Additionally, check Medicare.gov’s Care Compare tool to confirm Medicare certification and view quality ratings.

Understanding Oklahoma Hospice Licensing

Why Licensing Matters

Every hospice operating in Oklahoma must hold a valid license from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This isn’t just bureaucratic red tape—it’s your assurance that the provider meets minimum standards for staff qualifications, safety protocols, patient rights, and quality care.

According to Title 63, Section 1-860 of Oklahoma Statutes (the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act), no person or organization can operate a hospice or use the word “hospice” in their business name without obtaining a license from the State Department of Health. Violating this law is a misdemeanor, and the Department can impose civil penalties ranging from $500 to $1,000 per day for each violation.

State vs. Federal Oversight

Oklahoma hospices face two levels of regulation:

State Licensing (Oklahoma State Department of Health):

• Issues licenses under Title 310, Chapter 661 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code
• Sets staffing requirements specific to Oklahoma
• Enforces infection control and disaster preparedness standards
• Investigates complaints from Oklahoma families
• Can suspend or revoke licenses for violations

Federal Certification (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services):

• Certifies providers for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement
• Sets baseline standards for all hospices nationwide
• Conducts periodic surveys and inspections
• Can terminate Medicare agreements for serious deficiencies

Most hospices in Oklahoma hold both state licenses and federal Medicare certification. The state license allows them to operate in Oklahoma; the Medicare certification allows them to bill Medicare for services. You want a provider with both.

What Makes Oklahoma Different

Oklahoma’s hospice regulations include some requirements that go beyond federal minimums. Understanding these Oklahoma-specific standards helps you evaluate whether a provider is truly meeting state expectations.

According to Title 310, Chapter 661, Oklahoma hospices must:

• Ensure all clinical staff (nurses, social workers, counselors) hold current Oklahoma licenses
• Designate a patient care coordinator who is a registered nurse licensed in Oklahoma
• Require administrators to complete eight hours of continuing education annually
• Maintain written infection control programs with specific policies
• Have disaster preparedness plans in place
• Comply with Oklahoma’s advance directive laws
• Maintain a written quality assurance program

These aren’t optional extras—they’re legal requirements. If a provider can’t demonstrate compliance, that’s a red flag.

How to Verify a Hospice License in Oklahoma

Step 1: Call the Oklahoma State Department of Health

Unlike some states that offer online license lookups, Oklahoma requires you to contact the licensing agency directly.

Oklahoma State Department of Health Home Services Division 123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702 Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Phone: (405) 426-8470 Email: medicalfacilities@health.ok.gov Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

When you call, have the hospice provider’s full legal name and city ready. The licensing staff can confirm:

• Whether the provider holds a current Oklahoma hospice license
• When the license was issued and when it expires
• Whether there are any current enforcement actions or complaints on file
• The provider’s licensed capacity and service area

This phone call takes less than 10 minutes and gives you definitive confirmation that the provider is authorized to operate in Oklahoma.

Step 2: Ask to See the Physical License

Oklahoma regulations require every hospice to “conspicuously display” their license at their office location. When you meet with a potential provider for an initial consultation, you have every right to ask: “May I see your Oklahoma hospice license?”

A legitimate provider will be happy to show you. The license should be current, issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and display the provider’s legal name and address.

Red flags:

• The provider can’t or won’t show you their license
• The license is expired
• The license is for a different business name or location
• They only show you Medicare certification without state licensing

If something seems off, trust your instincts and verify with OSDH before proceeding.

Step 3: Check Medicare.gov Care Compare

While this doesn’t verify state licensing, Medicare’s Care Compare tool provides valuable information about federally certified hospices.

Visit www.medicare.gov/care-compare and search for hospice providers in your Oklahoma city or zip code. For each provider, you’ll see:

• Overall quality star rating (1-5 stars)
• Whether they’re Medicare-certified
• How they compare to state and national averages on quality measures
• Family caregiver survey results
• Live discharge rates

Pay attention to quality ratings and family survey results. Providers with consistently low ratings or unusually high live discharge rates (significantly above state averages) warrant additional scrutiny.

One important note: A provider can be Medicare-certified but not state-licensed if their license has lapsed or been suspended. Always verify both certifications.

Step 4: Ask About Accreditation

While not required, some Oklahoma hospices pursue voluntary accreditation from organizations like Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), The Joint Commission, or Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).

Accreditation involves rigorous external review of policies, practices, and outcomes. It’s a positive sign—though lack of accreditation doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality, especially for smaller providers.

What to ask: “Do you have any accreditation beyond Medicare certification and state licensing? If so, from which organization?”

Oklahoma-Specific Hospice Requirements Families Should Know

Understanding what Oklahoma law requires helps you evaluate whether a provider is cutting corners or going above and beyond.

Staffing Requirements

Title 310, Chapter 661 mandates specific staffing qualifications:

Interdisciplinary Team Composition: Every Oklahoma hospice must have an interdisciplinary team including:

• A physician (licensed in any state, but must be available to patients in Oklahoma)
• Registered nurses licensed in Oklahoma
• Social workers or counselors licensed in Oklahoma
• Spiritual care counselors
• Volunteers (after completing training programs)

Patient Care Coordinator: Each hospice must designate a patient care coordinator who is a registered nurse licensed in Oklahoma. This person oversees the development and implementation of care plans.

What this means for you: If a provider says their nurses are licensed in other states and “working on” Oklahoma licenses, that’s not compliant. All RNs providing direct care must hold current Oklahoma licenses.

Administrator Qualifications and Continuing Education

Oklahoma requires hospice administrators to complete eight hours of continuing education annually. This ensures administrators stay current on regulatory changes, best practices, and quality improvement strategies.

While you probably won’t ask to see an administrator’s CE certificates, knowing this requirement exists tells you that Oklahoma takes professional competency seriously.

Quality Assurance Programs

Every Oklahoma hospice must maintain a written quality assurance program that:

• Monitors and evaluates the quality of patient care
• Identifies areas needing improvement
• Implements corrective actions
• Documents outcomes

What to ask: “Can you describe your quality assurance process? How do you monitor and improve care quality?”

A vague answer suggests the provider may not have a robust QA program. Quality providers will explain specific measures they track, how often they review data, and examples of improvements they’ve made based on QA findings.

Infection Control and Disaster Preparedness

Oklahoma regulations require written policies for:

• Infection control practices
• Disaster and emergency preparedness

These policies must be reviewed regularly and staff must receive training on them.

Given Oklahoma’s tornado season and recent pandemic experiences, these requirements aren’t theoretical. You want a provider with clear plans for maintaining care during emergencies.

What to ask: “What happens to my loved one’s care if there’s a tornado warning or other emergency? How do you maintain infection control in home settings?”

Advance Directives Compliance

Oklahoma hospices must comply with state advance directive laws, including:

• Providing information about advance directives to all patients at admission
• Documenting whether the patient has advance directives
• Respecting patient wishes documented in advance directives
• Following Oklahoma law regarding living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare

This protects your right to make informed decisions about end-of-life care that align with your values and your loved one’s wishes.

Red Flags: Warning Signs of Illegitimate or Poor-Quality Providers

Even licensed providers can engage in questionable practices. Here are warning signs that should prompt additional scrutiny or lead you to choose a different provider.

Marketing and Enrollment Red Flags

Gifts, Cash, or Incentives to Enroll: Federal anti-kickback laws prohibit hospices from offering anything of value to induce enrollment. If a provider offers gift cards, cash, free groceries, or other incentives to sign up, that’s illegal.

Aggressive Marketing or Cold Calling: While hospices can advertise, aggressive tactics—especially cold calling families of patients recently diagnosed with serious illnesses—suggest a provider more focused on census numbers than appropriate care.

Pressure to Enroll Immediately: Choosing hospice is a significant decision that deserves time and thoughtful consideration. Providers who pressure you to sign enrollment papers immediately without allowing time to review documents or ask questions are prioritizing their interests over yours.

Clinical and Eligibility Red Flags

Vague or Undocumented Diagnoses: Hospice is for patients with terminal illnesses who have a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its normal course. If a provider is vague about the qualifying diagnosis or prognosis, or doesn’t require thorough physician certification, they may be enrolling patients who don’t truly qualify.

According to investigations reported by CBS News and enforcement actions by the U.S. Department of Justice, some fraudulent hospices enroll patients who aren’t actually terminally ill, then bill Medicare for services while providing minimal care.

Minimal Physician Involvement: Your loved one’s physician should certify hospice eligibility, and a hospice medical director should recertify eligibility periodically. If you never hear from or see a physician, that’s concerning.

Pressure to Stay Without Medical Justification: Some patients improve while on hospice and may no longer meet eligibility criteria. If your loved one’s condition stabilizes or improves, the provider should discuss this honestly—not pressure you to remain on services when it’s no longer medically appropriate.

Access and Communication Red Flags

Hard-to-Reach Care Teams: You should have a direct phone number for your hospice nurse and access to a 24/7 on-call nurse for urgent issues. If you can’t reach anyone after business hours, or calls go to an answering service that “will relay your message,” that’s inadequate.

Infrequent Visits or Visits That Don’t Happen: Medicare requires at least weekly nursing visits. Quality hospices often visit more frequently based on patient needs. If scheduled visits are frequently canceled, rescheduled, or simply don’t happen, that’s a serious red flag.

Being Told to “Just Call 911”: While there are situations where 911 is appropriate (cardiac arrest if the patient wants resuscitation, major trauma), routine symptom management is hospice’s job. If staff regularly tell you to call 911 for pain control, breathing difficulties, or other hospice-related symptoms, they’re not providing adequate care.

Billing and Financial Red Flags

Charges for Covered Services: Medicare covers all services and medications related to your hospice diagnosis. You should never receive bills for:

• Pain medications or symptom management drugs
• Medical equipment (hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen)
• Nursing visits or other hospice team visits
• Supplies related to hospice care

If a provider suggests you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for these items, they’re either confused about Medicare rules or attempting fraud.

Unnecessary Services or Upgrades: Some fraudulent providers bill Medicare for higher levels of care than patients need, or for services never provided. While you won’t see these bills directly (Medicare pays hospice a daily per diem rate), unusually high levels of service or frequent “continuous care” periods for stable patients may indicate billing fraud.

What to Ask When Interviewing Potential Providers

Come to initial consultations prepared with specific questions that help you assess legitimacy and quality.

License and Certification Questions

• Are you licensed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health? May I see your license?
• Are you Medicare-certified? What is your Medicare Care Compare rating?
• Do you have accreditation from CHAP, Joint Commission, or ACHC?
• How long have you been providing hospice services in Oklahoma?

Staffing and Team Questions

• Are all your nurses and social workers licensed in Oklahoma?
• Who will be my loved one’s primary nurse? Can I meet them before enrollment?
• What is your nurse-to-patient ratio?
• How often will the nurse visit? The home health aide? The social worker?
• What happens if our regular nurse is unavailable?

After-Hours and Emergency Questions

• Who answers your 24/7 phone line—your staff or an answering service?
• If I call at 2 a.m. with an urgent symptom, what happens?
• How quickly can a nurse arrive for after-hours emergencies?
• Do you have staff based locally, or do they travel from other cities?

Quality and Compliance Questions

• Can you describe your quality assurance program?
• How do you handle patient complaints?
• What is your infection control policy for in-home care?
• What are your emergency preparedness procedures?
• How do you ensure compliance with Oklahoma advance directive laws?

Service and Support Questions

• What services are included in hospice care at no charge to us?
• Will we ever receive bills for hospice-related care?
• What bereavement support do you offer families?
• Do you provide volunteer support or respite care?
• What happens if we’re not satisfied with care—can we switch providers?

Filing Complaints About Oklahoma Hospice Providers

If you experience problems with your hospice provider, you have the right to file complaints with both state and federal authorities.

When to File a Complaint

Consider filing a complaint if:

• The provider operates without a valid Oklahoma license
• Clinical staff aren’t properly licensed in Oklahoma
• Care is substandard, inadequate, or puts your loved one at risk
• You’re billed for services that should be covered by Medicare
• Staff are frequently unavailable or unresponsive
• You suspect the patient doesn’t truly qualify for hospice
• The provider violates patient rights or advance directives

How to File with Oklahoma State Department of Health

Oklahoma State Department of Health Home Services Division Phone: (405) 426-8470 Email: MedFacComplaints@health.ok.gov

What to include in your complaint:

• Hospice provider’s name, address, and phone number
• Specific dates and description of the problem
• Names of staff involved (if known)
• How the issue affected patient care or safety
• Any documentation you have (emails, visit records, bills)

OSDH prioritizes complaints using CMS guidelines based on severity and immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety. Investigators will review your complaint, may conduct an on-site survey, and can issue citations or take enforcement action if they find violations.

Enforcement Actions and Penalties

If OSDH finds violations of Oklahoma hospice regulations, they can:

• Issue a plan of correction requiring the provider to fix deficiencies
• Impose civil penalties from $500 to $1,000 per day for each violation (up to $10,000 maximum for related violations)
• Place conditions or restrictions on the license
• Suspend the license temporarily
• Revoke the license entirely for serious or repeated violations

How to File with Medicare

If you believe a Medicare-certified hospice is providing substandard care or billing improperly, you can also file complaints with:

Medicare (for quality of care issues): Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY: 1-877-486-2048

Medicare Fraud Hotline (for suspected billing fraud): Call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) Or report online at: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud

What Happens After Filing

After you file a complaint:

• OSDH or CMS will acknowledge receipt (usually within a few business days)
• Investigators will review the complaint and determine if an investigation or survey is warranted
• If they find deficiencies, the provider must submit a plan of correction
• Serious violations can result in penalties, license suspension, or termination of Medicare certification
• You may be contacted for additional information during the investigation

Filing complaints protects not just your family, but other Oklahoma families who might use the provider in the future.

Using Medicare Care Compare and Other Verification Resources

Beyond license verification, several resources help you evaluate hospice quality and reputation.

Medicare Care Compare

Website: www.medicare.gov/care-compare

What you can find:

• Overall quality star rating (1-5 stars)
• Comparison to state and national averages
• Family Caregiver Survey results
• Percentages for:
  • Patients who got the right care at the right time
  • Patients who had their beliefs and values respected
  • Visits in the last days of life
  • Live discharge rates

How to use it effectively: Search for hospices in your Oklahoma city or county. Compare multiple providers side-by-side. Pay special attention to family survey results—these reflect actual experiences of Oklahoma families like yours.

Look for patterns, not just overall ratings. A provider might have good overall ratings but low scores on specific measures that matter most to you (like pain management or communication).

Live Discharge Rates: What’s Normal?

Live discharge rates (the percentage of patients who leave hospice alive) vary by provider, but extremely high rates can indicate inappropriate enrollment of patients who aren’t actually terminally ill.

According to Medicare data analysis, national live discharge rates for hospice average around 15-20%. Some variation is normal—patients with certain diagnoses (like heart failure) have higher live discharge rates than others (like cancer).

Red flag: Live discharge rates consistently above 30-40% may suggest the provider is enrolling patients who don’t truly meet hospice eligibility criteria.

Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association

The Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association (OHPCA) is the state professional organization for hospice providers. While membership isn’t required, it suggests the provider invests in professional development and staying current with best practices.

You can contact OHPCA for general information about hospice in Oklahoma, though they don’t verify licenses or handle complaints.

Hospital Discharge Planners and Social Workers

If your loved one is transitioning from hospital to hospice, the hospital discharge planner or social worker can be a valuable resource. They work with multiple hospice providers and can often provide candid insights about which providers are most responsive, have local staff availability, and deliver quality care.

What to ask your discharge planner: “Which hospices do you hear the best feedback about from families? Are there any you’d recommend avoiding?”

Online Reviews and Reputation

While online reviews on Google, Facebook, or Yelp shouldn’t be your only source of information, they can reveal patterns. Look for:

• Consistent themes across multiple reviews (good or bad)
• Recent reviews (within the past year)
• Specific details about experiences

Be cautious of providers with only glowing 5-star reviews (may be fake) or only terrible 1-star reviews (may be from disgruntled employees rather than families). The most useful reviews are detailed, balanced, and recent.

Your Rights as a Hospice Patient and Family in Oklahoma

You Have the Right to Choose

Medicare gives you the absolute right to choose your hospice provider. Your doctor, hospital, or nursing facility cannot force you to use a specific hospice. If someone pressures you to choose a particular provider, that’s a red flag.

You Have the Right to Switch

If you’re unhappy with your hospice provider, you can change to a different provider once per benefit period without penalty. You don’t need permission or a special reason—simply contact the new provider you want to use, and they’ll handle the transfer process.

You Have the Right to Information

Hospices must provide written information about:

• Services covered by Medicare
• How to file complaints
• Advance directive policies
• Patient rights and responsibilities

If a provider won’t give you this information upfront, that’s concerning.

You Have the Right to Revoke Hospice

You can choose to leave hospice at any time and return to curative treatment. This is called “revoking hospice.” While this decision should be made carefully in consultation with your doctor, you always have this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an online database to check Oklahoma hospice licenses?

No. Unlike some states, Oklahoma does not have an online license verification system for hospice providers. You must call the Oklahoma State Department of Health Home Services Division at (405) 426-8470 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) to verify a hospice license.

What licenses and certifications should a legitimate hospice have?

A legitimate Oklahoma hospice should have:

1. State License: Issued by Oklahoma State Department of Health under Title 63, Section 1-860
2. Medicare Certification: From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (if billing Medicare)
3. Staff Licenses: All clinical staff (RNs, social workers, counselors) must hold current Oklahoma professional licenses

Voluntary accreditation from CHAP, Joint Commission, or ACHC is a positive bonus but not required.

Can I see a hospice’s license before enrolling my loved one?

Absolutely. Oklahoma regulations require hospices to display their license conspicuously at their office location. During an initial consultation or office visit, you have every right to ask to see the license. A legitimate provider will be happy to show you a current, valid license issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

What if a hospice refuses to show me their license?

If a hospice refuses to show you their license or can’t produce one, do not enroll. This is a major red flag. Contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health at (405) 426-8470 to verify whether the provider is legitimately licensed. If they’re operating without a license, report this immediately to OSDH.

Are all hospices in Oklahoma the same, or is there variation in quality?

There is significant variation in quality among Oklahoma hospices. While all Medicare-certified hospices must provide the same core services, they differ dramatically in:

• Staffing levels and nurse-to-patient ratios
• After-hours availability and response times
• Additional services beyond Medicare minimums
• Experience and expertise with specific conditions
• Local presence and geographic coverage
• Quality ratings and patient satisfaction

This is why comparing providers, checking Medicare Care Compare ratings, and asking detailed questions during interviews matters.

Does Medicare certification mean a hospice is high quality?

Medicare certification means a provider meets federal minimum standards—but it doesn’t guarantee high quality. Think of it as a baseline: certified providers have met basic requirements, but some go far beyond while others provide only the bare minimum.

Always check:

• Medicare Care Compare star ratings and family survey results
• Oklahoma license status with OSDH
• References from hospital discharge planners
• Your own interview questions about staffing, response times, and services

What is CHAP accreditation, and does it matter?

CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner) is an independent organization that accredits hospice providers who meet rigorous quality standards beyond Medicare requirements. CHAP accreditation is voluntary and involves detailed review of policies, practices, and outcomes.

CHAP accreditation is a positive sign of commitment to quality, but lack of accreditation doesn’t necessarily mean poor care. Smaller providers may not pursue voluntary accreditation due to cost, even if they deliver excellent care.

How do I file a complaint about an Oklahoma hospice provider?

File complaints with the Oklahoma State Department of Health:

• Phone: (405) 426-8470
• Email: MedFacComplaints@health.ok.gov

For Medicare-certified providers, you can also file with:

• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
• Medicare Fraud Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)

Include specific details about the problem, dates, and names of staff involved. OSDH will investigate and can take enforcement action if they find violations.

Can I switch hospice providers if I’m unhappy with the one we chose?

Yes. Medicare allows you to change hospice providers once per benefit period. You don’t need a special reason or permission. Simply contact the new provider you want to use and tell them you want to transfer care. They’ll handle the paperwork and coordination with your current provider.

What should I do if I suspect a hospice is fraudulent?

If you suspect fraud (such as enrolling ineligible patients, billing for services not provided, or offering kickbacks to enroll), report it immediately to:

Oklahoma State Department of Health: (405) 426-8470 or MedFacComplaints@health.ok.gov

Medicare Fraud Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) Online: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud

FBI (for serious fraud): https://www.fbi.gov/tips

Document everything: emails, visit records, billing statements, and specific incidents. Your report protects other families and helps authorities take enforcement action.

What’s the difference between state licensing and Medicare certification?

State Licensing (OSDH):

• Gives legal authority to operate a hospice in Oklahoma
• Enforces Oklahoma-specific requirements (Title 310, Chapter 661)
• Handles complaints from Oklahoma families
• Can suspend or revoke licenses

Medicare Certification (CMS):

• Allows providers to bill Medicare for services
• Enforces federal hospice standards
• Conducts surveys and inspections
• Can terminate Medicare agreements

Most hospices have both. State licensing is required to operate; Medicare certification is required to serve Medicare patients (which is most hospice patients).

How often are Oklahoma hospices inspected?

Oklahoma hospices receive surveys (inspections) from OSDH and CMS on varying schedules:

• Initial survey: Before license is granted
• Routine surveys: Typically every 12-36 months
• Complaint surveys: Triggered by serious complaints requiring investigation
• Follow-up surveys: To verify corrections were made after deficiencies

You can ask a provider when their last OSDH survey occurred and whether there were any deficiencies.

Are nurse and social worker licenses public information in Oklahoma?

Yes. You can verify Oklahoma professional licenses online:

Oklahoma Board of Nursing (for RNs and LPNs): https://ok.gov/nursing - Click “License Verification”

Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health (for social workers): https://www.ok.gov/behavioralhealth - Licensee search

If a hospice claims their staff are Oklahoma-licensed, you can verify this yourself using the staff member’s name.

Final Thoughts: Trust, But Verify

Choosing hospice care for a loved one is an act of love, not giving up. You’re seeking comfort, dignity, and support during one of life’s most difficult journeys. You deserve a provider who is not only legitimate and properly licensed, but also skilled, compassionate, and committed to quality care.

Verifying licenses and credentials isn’t about distrust—it’s about being a responsible advocate for your loved one. The vast majority of Oklahoma hospice providers are ethical, properly licensed, and committed to excellent care. But as with any healthcare decision, doing your homework protects your family.

Take the time to:

• Call OSDH to verify state licensing
• Check Medicare Care Compare for quality ratings
• Interview multiple providers and ask specific questions
• Request to see licenses and certifications
• Trust your instincts if something feels off

Sarah eventually chose a hospice provider for her mother. She made that call to OSDH, checked the Medicare ratings, interviewed three providers, and asked all the hard questions. When her mother passed peacefully six weeks later, surrounded by family and cared for by responsive, compassionate hospice nurses, Sarah knew she’d made the right choice.

You can too.

The Oklahoma Home Hospice Editorial Team includes healthcare professionals, hospice specialists, and patient advocates committed to providing accurate, practical information for Oklahoma families navigating end-of-life care decisions. This article incorporates information from Title 310 Chapter 661 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code, Title 63 Section 1-860 of Oklahoma Statutes, and guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

For questions about Oklahoma Home Hospice services, contact us at [contact information]. To verify our Oklahoma hospice license, call OSDH at (405) 426-8470.