SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON N. BIRMINGHAM
Provider Information
- Address
- 5582 APPLE PARK DR
BIRMINGHAM, AL 35235 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 24, 1984
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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) | 9 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
24
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 N. BIRMINGHAM 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON N. BIRMINGHAM compares to hospices nationwide.
10.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 29th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
348
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 day10.4 min
Ranks better than about 29% 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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life94.4%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 visits38.5%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 months44.5%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 care16.7%
Ranks better than about 12% 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%
Ranks better than about 16% 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)81st 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$15,544 · 37th 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 70% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.1%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life70%
- All care steps completed98.6%
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%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease30%
- Lung and respiratory disease20%
- Stroke14%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Hospice Support in Birmingham
SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON N. BIRMINGHAM provides end-of-life care for families throughout Jefferson County. Located at 5582 APPLE PARK DR, this team focuses on comfort and dignity for patients in the Birmingham area. They offer a full range of hospice services designed to manage pain and support emotional needs. Choosing the right partner for your loved one is a major decision. Having a local team that understands the community can make a big difference during this time.
About SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON N. BIRMINGHAM
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have been Medicare certified since 05/24/1984. That is over four decades of experience serving the community. What this means for your family is that they have a long track record of following federal guidelines. Medicare certification also means they meet strict standards for patient safety and care quality. The team at this location works to balance medical oversight with personal kindness. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific care approach when you call them at (205) 939-8799. They are ready to answer your questions about how their for-profit model impacts their daily operations.
Understanding Hospice Care in Birmingham
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort over hospital stays. In Birmingham, many families use these services to stay home instead of in a facility. The goal is to control pain and keep the patient peaceful. Medicare covers hospice services for those who meet certain health needs. The team usually includes nurses, aides, and social workers. They visit your home on a regular schedule. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You are part of that team along with the staff. They provide the medical tools, but you provide the love and presence that matters most. Ask the provider how they coordinate with your local doctors here in Jefferson County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit takes a little bit of work. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You should also ask how they help family members cope with grief. It is helpful to know who will be your main point of contact. Ask them how they handle requests for extra visits on weekends or nights. These are the details that change your daily life. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with your loved one's specific health condition. A good provider will be open and honest with you. They should make you feel like you are their only priority today.
Preserve Your Family History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be kept safe. We offer a simple way to capture these memories so your family can treasure them for generations to come.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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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.