HOSPICE FAMILY CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 10000 SERENITY LANE SOUTHEAST
HUNTSVILLE, AL 35803 - Ownership Type
- Non-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 August 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 screening99.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life86.2%
- All care steps completed99.4%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Family Care in Huntsville
Hospice Family Care provides specialized end of life support for residents in Huntsville, Alabama. They operate as a non profit organization and hold a long history of service to the Madison County area. This provider has maintained Medicare certification since 1986. They focus on meeting the needs of patients and their families during difficult health transitions. Their team works within the local community to offer comfort and symptom management. Families often choose them for their established presence in the region. That is a long time to serve a community. They bring decades of experience to every home they visit.
About Hospice Family Care
Hospice Family Care functions as a non profit hospice provider. This means they reinvest their earnings back into their programs rather than paying out to owners. They have been Medicare certified for many years. This certification indicates they follow federal rules for quality and safety. Being non profit often shapes how a team approaches daily care for patients. Their staff includes sixteen registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also work with one volunteer to support their mission. It is a focused team. Families should know that non profit status does not change the high standard of care they must meet to keep their Medicare approval. They follow strict guidelines every single day to ensure patients receive proper help. You can feel confident in their commitment to these standards.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in HUNTSVILLE?
Hospice care in Huntsville focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The goal is to manage pain and improve quality of life. A team of nurses and aides visits the patient regularly. They work to keep the family informed about all changes. Most care happens where the patient lives. But some services can reach into nursing homes or assisted living centers. The team composition here includes sixteen registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. This staffing level allows for frequent check ins. They ensure that someone is always ready to answer your questions. You will find that hospice care here is designed to support the whole family unit. It provides a layer of help that makes each day a bit easier to manage. This support is very helpful during stressful times.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice provider is a personal process. You need to ask questions that help you understand how they work. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is a common concern for many families. Ask about how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. You should also ask how they involve the family in the care plan. It is also good to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Finally, check if they offer grief support for your family after the patient passes away. These answers will help you decide if they are the right fit. Take your time to get clear answers. A good provider will be happy to talk with you about these points.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift for future generations. Capture these precious memories while you have the time to share them together.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ACG HOSPICE-GARDENDALE
ALABAMA HOSPICE CARE OF MOBILE
COLUMBUS HOSPICE OF ALABAMA
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