Lower Cape Fear Lifecare
Myrtle Beach, SC · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 421501)
CMS process measure: 98.64 (state average 97.78 — at state average)
Serves: 24 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (843) 848-6480 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare received a 5-star CAHPS rating from family caregivers, with 95% saying they would definitely recommend it, and its CMS composite process score of 98.64 is at the South Carolina state average of 97.78. These figures come from CMS Care Compare survey data.
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare serves 24 ZIP codes from its office in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County. Families in that broader area can contact the hospice to confirm whether their specific ZIP code is included.
Yes, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is Medicare-certified, with CCN 421501, certified since October 23, 1987. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies their eligibility.
About this hospice
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is a non-profit hospice serving the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area from its office in Horry County. It has been Medicare-certified since October 23, 1987, meaning it has met federal health and safety standards for hospice care for over three decades.
According to CMS Care Compare survey data, family caregivers gave Lower Cape Fear Lifecare a 5-star CAHPS rating. In that same survey, 95% of respondents said they would definitely recommend this hospice, and 92% rated their overall experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
On CMS's composite process measure, which reflects the share of recommended care processes delivered, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare scored 98.64, which CMS characterizes as at the state average of 97.78 for South Carolina. CMS also reports a care index score of 10 and notes that 79.7% of patients received visits in the final days of life, based on the data CMS has published.
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare's service area covers 24 ZIP codes, indicating a broad reach from its Horry County office.
All figures above are drawn from CMS Care Compare data as published by Medicare; where a measure is not mentioned here, CMS has not published it for this hospice, which often happens simply because of small patient counts and does not indicate anything negative about quality. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients; no cost details beyond this are available in this listing.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from this hospice?
Yes. Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is Medicare-certified (CCN 421501) since October 23, 1987, and the Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for patients who are certified eligible by a doctor.
What do family caregivers say about this hospice in the CMS survey?
Family caregivers gave Lower Cape Fear Lifecare a 5-star CAHPS rating, with 95% saying they would definitely recommend the hospice and 92% rating their experience 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
Its composite process score is 98.64, which CMS considers at the South Carolina state average of 97.78, and CMS reports a care index score of 10.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare serves 24 ZIP codes from its office in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 24 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
It is a non-profit hospice. Ownership type does not by itself determine quality, but it can be a factor families weigh alongside CMS survey and process scores.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare has been Medicare-certified since October 23, 1987.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative treatment, while hospice care focuses on comfort rather than cure for people with a life-limiting illness, typically when a doctor certifies a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its expected course.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
No. Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care to comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life rather than treatments aimed at curing the underlying illness; patients and families can discuss goals of care with their medical team at any time.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
This listing does not specify care settings; contact Lower Cape Fear Lifecare at (843) 848-6480 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
Contact Lower Cape Fear Lifecare directly at (843) 848-6480 to discuss eligibility and next steps, and verify certification details on Medicare Care Compare.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families often ask about CAHPS survey results, quality measures compared to the state average, service area, and how care is coordinated; you can review these figures on Medicare Care Compare and ask the hospice directly for specifics not covered there.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up Lower Cape Fear Lifecare (CCN 421501) at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/421501?state=SC to confirm current certification and quality data.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Jul2026 refresh). Survey results are reported by family caregivers through the official CAHPS Hospice Survey; CMS publishes them only above response-count thresholds. Always verify current details with the hospice and Medicare before arranging care.