ACCESS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1706 HWY 78 E
JASPER, AL 35501 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 12, 2007
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Access Hospice in Jasper
Access Hospice serves families in Walker County from their home base in Jasper, Alabama. This provider has been certified by Medicare since the summer of 2007. They offer care for patients who need support at the end of life. Their team works to manage pain and provide comfort for those in their care. This facility operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They bring years of experience to the local medical community. Many families look for this type of long-standing care when a loved one faces a serious illness. The goal is always to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. Access Hospice focuses on this mission every single day.
About ACCESS HOSPICE
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice center. Medicare certification shows they meet federal rules for safety and care. They have maintained this status for many years. That record helps families know what to expect when they sign up for services. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on end of life care. They do not run a hospital or a nursing home at the same time. This keeps their attention on the specific needs of hospice patients. You should ask them about their history and how they handle daily care plans. It is smart to learn about their team before you make a final decision for your family. Understanding their business model can help you feel better about the care your loved one will receive.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in JASPER?
Hospice care in Jasper brings medical support directly to the patient. It often happens in the family home or a facility. The team at Access Hospice includes 33 total staff members. This group features 18 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have three doctors and four volunteers on the roster. These professionals work together to address pain and emotional needs. They see patients where they live. Having a large team of nurses is a big plus for daily symptom control. The doctors oversee the medical side of the care plan. Volunteers often provide companionship or help with small tasks. It is a team effort. This structure ensures that someone is always ready to help when a change in condition happens.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel confident in the team you pick. Start by asking how many nurses they have on call at night. You should also ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens. Ask what role the volunteers play in daily life. It is also good to ask how they handle changes in medication. Ask if they provide care on weekends or holidays. These questions help you see if they have the staff to meet your specific needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clear answers. You are the advocate for your loved one. A good hospice team will be happy to explain how their staffing levels support the care they provide. Get these answers in writing if you can.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is hard, but your family history matters. Capture memories and stories to share with future generations in a simple way.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
SOUTHEAST HOSPICE NETWORK
SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON - JASPER
SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON SCOTTSBORO
HEARTLITE HOSPICE
CHATTAHOOCHEE HOSPICE INC
HOSPICE OF WEST ALABAMA
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.