SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON - ANNISTON
Provider Information
- Address
- 1419 LEIGHTON AVENUE, UNIT A
ANNISTON, AL 36207 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 22, 1987
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 35 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 11 |
| Volunteers | 30 |
122
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON - ANNISTON reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON - ANNISTON compares to hospices nationwide.
11.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 42nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
223
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day11.6 min
Ranks better than about 42% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends5.6%
Ranks better than about 21% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life95%
Ranks better than about 61% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits23.9%
Ranks better than about 85% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care8.7%
Ranks better than about 34% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months46.9%
Ranks better than about 24% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care22.6%
Ranks better than about 4% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)79th percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$18,008 · 51st percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 71.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.8%
- All care steps completed99.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease33%
- Lung and respiratory disease17%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions7%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Anniston
SouthernCare New Beacon in Anniston, Alabama, provides hospice services for patients and their families. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice and has served the community since 1987. They maintain accreditation through the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This accreditation shows that the agency meets high national standards for care. Their team works to support patients living in Calhoun County and the surrounding area. Choosing the right hospice is a major step. Families deserve clear information about the options available in their home town.
About SouthernCare New Beacon - Anniston
This agency is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare for over three decades. Accreditation from CHAP means an outside group checked their work. These experts look at how the agency manages safety and patient care. It is a sign of accountability. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on end of life care. They are not part of a larger hospital system. This can lead to more specialized attention for your loved one. The agency employs 122 people. This group includes 35 registered nurses and 11 physicians. They also have 30 volunteers who give their time to help patients. Having a large team can offer more support for daily needs. Families should look for these signs of stability when they meet with a provider.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Anniston?
Hospice care in Alabama focuses on comfort and dignity. The goal is to manage pain and help the patient stay at home. Care teams usually include nurses, doctors, and aides. In Anniston, this provider uses a team of 35 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also rely on 11 physicians to guide medical decisions. Volunteers add another layer of support. These helpers may sit with patients or assist with errands. The team works together to create a plan that fits the patient. This plan changes as needs change. You can expect regular visits from the staff. They are there to answer questions and offer peace of mind. It is about making sure the patient is comfortable every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Families should always ask questions before picking a hospice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. Ask how the team handles pain medication and symptom management. You should also ask about the role of volunteers in the care plan. Find out how the agency communicates with the patient's regular doctor. Ask about the support services they offer to grieving family members. It helps to know if they provide spiritual care or music therapy. Be direct about what matters most to your family. A good provider will answer these questions with patience. They want you to feel confident in the care your loved one will receive.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This period is a time for reflection. Recording memories and stories can offer comfort to your family for years to come.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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CHATTAHOOCHEE HOSPICE INC
COMPASSUS SOUTHERN ALABAMA
LAKESIDE HOSPICE INC
SHEPHERD'S COVE HOSPICE
COMMUNITY HOSPICE CARE
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