COLUMBUS HOSPICE OF ALABAMA
Provider Information
- Address
- 1200 14TH STREET, UNIT D
PHENIX CITY, AL 36867 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 23, 2004
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
10
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 COLUMBUS HOSPICE OF ALABAMA 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COLUMBUS HOSPICE OF ALABAMA compares to hospices nationwide.
11.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 39th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
45
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 day11.3 min
Ranks better than about 39% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 visits38.2%
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 care8%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 months58%
Ranks better than about 8% 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%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 hospice2%
Ranks better than about 37% 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)92nd 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$11,731 · 17th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 76.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.2%
- Pain assessment92.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed96.5%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.5%
- Visits in the last days of life76.9%
- All care steps completed90.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Columbus Hospice of Alabama
Columbus Hospice of Alabama provides end of life care for families in Phenix City. They have served the community from their location on 14th Street since early 2004. This freestanding hospice team focuses on comfort and support for patients near the end of their journey. They hold a five star rating from Medicare for overall quality. That is a high mark in the hospice field. Choosing a provider with this level of recognition offers peace of mind during a hard time. You want a team that knows how to listen. They work hard to meet the needs of every person they serve in Russell County. This provider brings experience and care to your own home or their facility. It is a local choice for those needing specialized support near home.
Provider Background
This hospice operates under other ownership and has been Medicare certified for two decades. Medicare certification means they follow strict federal rules for patient care. It is a sign of a steady and proven organization. The team consists of ten employees, including five registered nurses and one physician. That is a strong ratio of nurses for a smaller group. Nurses are the ones who usually spend the most time with your loved one. They handle the daily medical needs and answer your questions. Having a doctor on staff also ensures that medical plans stay on track. You get direct access to skilled professionals who understand the local area. They know how to coordinate with other doctors in Phenix City. This level of oversight helps keep your family member comfortable and safe at all times.
Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Phenix City
Finding the right care in Russell County can feel like a heavy task. You want a group that cares about the details. This hospice uses a small but focused team to help you. With five nurses on staff, they can provide frequent visits to monitor symptoms. Proper symptom management is the main goal of hospice care. It allows patients to spend more time with their families. The staff works with your personal doctor to create a plan that fits your life. This keeps everyone on the same page. What most people do not realize is that hospice is about living well. It is not just about the end. It is about making sure today is as good as it can be for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before you sign any paperwork. Here are a few things to consider. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is available around the clock. Second, ask how they handle pain management for their patients. Do they have a clear plan to keep your loved one comfortable? Third, ask how they support the rest of the family during this time. Grief support is a big part of what good hospice teams do. Finally, ask if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one faces. Every person is different. The right provider will be happy to answer these questions with honesty and care. Take your time with this choice.
Preserving Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of stories and wisdom. We can help you record these memories so they stay with your family forever.
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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Some stories are worth writing down
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