National Home and Hospice Care Survey Series

Investigator(s): United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics

The National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS) series is an annual nationwide sample survey of home health and hospice care agencies, and their current and discharged patients. These surveys were specifically designed as an ongoing series to satisfy the diverse data needs of those who establish standards for, plan, provide, and assess long-term care services. Information is collected on agency characteristics, such as the number of patients served in the past 12 months, type of facility ownership, Medicare and Medicaid certification, number and type of staff personnel, and staff working hours. Information collected on current patients and discharged patients includes the service provided, provider type, residence, referral source, medical diagnosis, type of care, type of aids used, daily living activities, billing charges, and expected payment sources. Discharge diagnoses are also included for discharged patients. Demographic variables on sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, and marital status are included for both types of patients.