HOSPICE FAMILY CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 10000 SERENITY LANE SOUTHEAST
HUNTSVILLE, AL 35803 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 30, 1986
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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) | 16 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
43
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 HOSPICE FAMILY CARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE FAMILY CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 84th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
99
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 day16.4 min
Ranks better than about 84% 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 weekends11%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 life98.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits39.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 months30.3%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care13.1%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 hospice3.3%
Ranks better than about 22% 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)97th 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$6,834 · 3rd 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 86.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life86.2%
- All care steps completed99%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia19%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Family Care in Huntsville
Hospice Family Care is a provider located at 10000 Serenity Lane Southeast in Huntsville, Alabama. They offer end-of-life support to families throughout Madison County. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision that happens during a difficult time. This team provides comfort and care to patients when they need it most. They have been serving the community for many years, helping families navigate the final stages of life with dignity. Whether you are just starting your search or need immediate help, this team is a local resource in your corner. That is a big deal when you are feeling overwhelmed by health choices.
About Hospice Family Care
Hospice Family Care operates as a for-profit provider in the Alabama market. They earned their Medicare certification on October 30, 1986. That is over three decades of experience in the hospice field. Being Medicare-certified means they meet federal safety and quality standards set for hospice providers. It is important to know that for-profit status does not change the high standard of care they must provide. They focus on managing symptoms and supporting the emotional well-being of the entire family unit. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team members like nurses, social workers, and chaplains. Knowing who will walk through your door makes a difference. They have built a long history in Huntsville by sticking to these core goals.
Top Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Huntsville
Hospice care in Madison County is about more than just medical tasks. It is about creating a space where the patient feels safe, heard, and at peace. Most hospice care happens in the patient's home, though some services can be provided in nursing homes or assisted living centers. The goal is to improve the quality of each day. And that includes helping with pain, stress, and spiritual needs. You might wonder how to pay for this. Medicare covers hospice care for those who qualify, which takes a huge weight off the family's shoulders. The thing is, many people wait too long to start these services. Starting early allows the hospice team to build a better relationship with your loved one. It gives everyone more time to focus on what really matters.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should never feel rushed when picking a provider. It is your right to ask questions until you feel calm and informed. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask what specific support they offer for family caregivers who might be tired or stressed. Another good question is how they handle changes in medication or sudden pain. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health condition. The right provider will be happy to answer these questions clearly. If they seem annoyed or vague, keep looking. You deserve a partner who is patient and open. It is your life and your family, so take the lead.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The stories, laughter, and wisdom shared by your loved ones are a precious gift. Capture these memories today to ensure they are never lost for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HOSPICE OF NORTH ALABAMA, LLC
GENTIVA HUNTSVILLE
COMPASSUS SOUTHERN ALABAMA
AVEANNA HOSPICE OF ANDALUSIA
COMMUNITY HOSPICE CARE
IVY CREEK HOSPICE
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