ACCESS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1706 HWY 78 E
JASPER, AL 35501 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 12, 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) | 18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
33
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 ACCESS HOSPICE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ACCESS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 60th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
64
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 day13.2 min
Ranks better than about 60% 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 weekends3%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life91.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits35%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 care4.3%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 months48.2%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care9.9%
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 hospice1.4%
Ranks better than about 45% 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)83rd 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$18,362 · 52nd 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 68.2% 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 life68.2%
- 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.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease35%
- Lung and respiratory disease18%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
ACCESS HOSPICE in Jasper
ACCESS HOSPICE provides end of life care for people living in Jasper, Alabama. They operate out of their office on Highway 78 East in Walker County. This team serves the local community by offering medical and emotional support during serious illness. They have been certified to provide Medicare hospice services since the summer of 2007. Their goal is to manage symptoms so patients can spend time in comfort. Choosing a hospice provider is a major step for any family. You want a team that knows the area and meets high standards for patient care. This provider works to offer consistent support for those in the Walker County region. By focusing on symptom relief, they aim to help patients maintain their quality of life. Families often find that early conversations with hospice teams make a big difference in the care experience. They are ready to answer your questions about how their specific services work.
About ACCESS HOSPICE
ACCESS HOSPICE functions as a for-profit hospice provider. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus solely on end of life care rather than running a hospital. Their staff includes 33 employees who handle the daily needs of patients and their families. This group includes 18 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who provide direct medical care. They also have 3 physicians on staff to oversee medical plans and 4 volunteers who offer extra support. Certification by Medicare since 2007 shows they have a long history of meeting federal requirements. These rules cover everything from how they manage pain to how they support family members during grief. You should know that for-profit status does not change the basic requirements they must meet to keep their Medicare certification. The team structure shows they have enough clinical staff to handle complex medical needs. They use these resources to keep patients comfortable at home or in local facilities.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Jasper?
Hospice care in Jasper focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. You can expect a team of nurses, doctors, and volunteers to visit you at home. They coordinate with your regular doctor to create a plan that fits your specific needs. Most care happens where you live, which helps keep things familiar and calm. The team at ACCESS HOSPICE is built to handle the medical side of things while also supporting your emotional needs. With 18 registered nurses on their team, they have a deep bench of clinical talent to handle pain management. These nurses monitor symptoms closely and adjust care plans as the condition changes. The volunteers and physicians add extra layers of support for the patient and the family. Having this level of care nearby means you do not have to travel far for help. They provide a steady hand during a difficult time for your household.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a hospice provider is a serious task. You should feel comfortable asking questions until you have clear answers. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask how they coordinate with your current primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page. It is also wise to ask what specific support they offer to family members who are acting as caregivers. Ask how often the nurse will visit and what happens if you need to reach them on a weekend. Does the team have experience with your specific diagnosis? You deserve to know how they handle pain management and if they have a clear plan for your comfort. These answers will help you understand if the provider is a good fit for your family. Take your time to get the facts you need to feel secure.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. We offer a simple way to record memories and life lessons so they are never lost.
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