COMPASSUS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE-BIRMINGHAM
Provider Information
- Address
- 1900 INTERNATIONAL PARK DRIVE, SUITE 200
BIRMINGHAM, AL 35243 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 10, 2007
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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) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
6
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 COMPASSUS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE-BIRMINGHAM reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 2007.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMPASSUS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE-BIRMINGHAM 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.
237
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 weekends7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits57.7%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care9.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months29.8%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 care9.7%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 hospice4.5%
Ranks better than about 13% 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)93rd 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$10,439 · 12th 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 screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.8%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease11%
- Lung and respiratory disease18%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care in Birmingham
Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care is located in Birmingham, Alabama. They provide hospice and palliative care services to families in the Jefferson County area. Their team works to support patients through end-of-life care. They focus on comfort and dignity for every person they serve. Families in Birmingham can reach their office at 1900 International Park Drive, Suite 200. You can call their team at (205) 437-8655 to learn more about their services. They have been helping patients in this region since 2007. Choosing the right care is a big decision for your family. Understanding your local options is the first step toward getting the right support. This provider offers care centered on the patient's specific needs and goals. They aim to improve quality of life during a difficult time. Reach out today to see how their team can help your loved one.
About Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care-Birmingham
Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care-Birmingham is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been Medicare certified since October 10, 2007. This long history shows they have experience meeting federal standards for care. Families should know that Medicare certification means they follow strict rules for safety and quality. Being a for-profit provider means they operate under specific business structures. Many families find comfort in knowing a provider has served the area for many years. You should ask about how their team manages pain and symptoms. It is also good to ask how they support family members during the grieving process. Their office staff can explain how their care plan works for your loved one. Every hospice provider has a unique approach to care. Talking with them directly will help you decide if they are the right fit for your family's needs. Take your time to ask questions before you make your final choice.
Quality Ratings Overview
Understanding Hospice Care in Birmingham
Hospice care is a special type of care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on comfort, pain relief, and emotional support. In Birmingham, many families choose hospice when a cure is no longer the goal. The main purpose is to help the patient live each day as fully as possible. Hospice care teams include doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. They visit the patient wherever they live. This could be a private home, a nursing facility, or an assisted living center. Having this support nearby in Jefferson County makes it easier to get help quickly. Hospice also provides support for the whole family. They offer counseling and resources to help you through this journey. It is a team effort to ensure your loved one feels safe and cared for. Knowing what to expect can make this transition much easier for everyone involved. You do not have to walk this path alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a very personal choice. You should feel comfortable with the people who will care for your loved one. Here are some questions to help you start the conversation:
- How quickly can a nurse arrive if there is an emergency at night or on the weekend?
- What is your approach to managing pain and other difficult symptoms?
- How do you support family members who are grieving or feeling stressed?
- Can you tell me about the volunteers and social workers on your team?
Asking these questions helps you see if the provider matches your family's values. Do not feel rushed to make a choice. It is important to find a team that listens to your concerns. A good hospice provider will be happy to answer all your questions clearly. They should be honest and kind during your talks. Your goal is to find a partner who will honor the wishes of your loved one.
Preserving Family Stories
This time is precious for your family. Recording your loved one's stories and memories can create a lasting treasure for future generations to cherish.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning today.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.