VITALCARING GROUP
Provider Information
- Address
- 201-B SHELL ROAD
SARALAND, AL 36571 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 29, 2003
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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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 2 |
13
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 VITALCARING GROUP 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 VITALCARING GROUP compares to hospices nationwide.
12 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 47th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
36
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 day12 min
Ranks better than about 47% 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 weekends6.4%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 life84.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 visits46.8%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care20%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 hospice8%
Ranks better than about 3% 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)52nd 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$17,640 · 49th 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 47.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life47.7%
- All care steps completed99.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease40%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITALCARING GROUP in Saraland
VITALCARING GROUP provides hospice services for families in the Saraland area. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice located on Shell Road in Mobile County. They have offered care to the community since 2003. Their team works to support patients and their loved ones during end-of-life care. Choosing the right provider is a major decision for any family. That is why checking their history and care quality marks helps you make an informed choice. This group remains a long-standing option for those needing support in Alabama. They focus on providing care through their team of medical professionals. Their goal is to meet the needs of those facing a terminal illness. You can reach their office directly at (251) 246-2727 to learn about their current availability. It is a good idea to speak with them directly about your specific needs.
About VITALCARING GROUP
VITALCARING GROUP is a for-profit hospice provider. They earned their Medicare certification in May 2003. This means they have met the federal requirements to provide care for Medicare beneficiaries for over two decades. Being Medicare certified is a baseline requirement for quality oversight. It ensures the provider follows strict standards set by the government. This agency employs a total of 13 staff members to carry out their mission. Their team includes three registered nurses, three licensed practical nurses, and two physicians. These staff members work together to manage symptoms and pain for their patients. Families should know that a for-profit status does not change the requirement for high-quality care. All Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same rules for patient rights and safety. You can look at the official CMS quality scores to see how they perform compared to other agencies. These scores reflect actual care outcomes reported by the provider to federal regulators.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SARALAND?
Hospice care in Saraland focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team works to improve the quality of life for the patient. They manage pain and provide emotional support for the entire family. At VITALCARING GROUP, the medical team includes three registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee the medical plan of care. These professionals visit the patient wherever they call home. This might be a private house or a nursing facility. The nurses handle daily medical tasks and watch for changes in the patient's condition. The physicians coordinate with the primary doctor to ensure the plan fits the patient's goals. This model of care aims to keep the patient comfortable in a familiar setting. Most families find that having a dedicated team available 24 hours a day brings peace of mind. It allows the family to focus on spending time together instead of worrying about medical logistics.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how many nurses they have on staff. You should also ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. It helps to know if they provide care on weekends and holidays. Ask what support they offer to family members who are grieving. Another good question is how they handle sudden changes in pain or symptoms. Ask them to explain their process for coordinating with your current doctors. You can also ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Make sure you understand the full range of services they offer. Write your questions down before you call them. This ensures you do not forget anything during your conversation. Getting clear answers helps your family feel more prepared for the care process ahead. Take your time to get the information you need to make the best decision for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations.
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