HEARTLITE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 401 S. MARKET STREET
SCOTTSBORO, AL 35768 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 2, 2005
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 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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 8 |
12
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 HEARTLITE 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEARTLITE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 28th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
56
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 day10.3 min
Ranks better than about 28% 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%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 life96.6%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 visits43.8%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 care3%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 months47.5%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 care10.1%
Ranks better than about 35% 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)67th 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$14,820 · 33rd 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 84% 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 life84%
- 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.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease34%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heartlite Hospice in Scottsboro
Heartlite Hospice serves families throughout Scottsboro, Alabama. This freestanding hospice provider offers care for patients who need comfort and support. They have provided medical services since late 2005. The team focuses on meeting health needs in Jackson County. They are ready to help your loved ones at home. That is their primary goal. Having a local team makes a difference for families who want to stay in their own space. They operate as a for-profit organization. This means they manage their own resources to provide hospice care services to the local community. Choosing a provider in your own town keeps medical support close by. It helps everyone stay connected during a difficult time.
About Heartlite Hospice
Heartlite Hospice is a freestanding provider. This means they are not part of a hospital system. They have served the area for nearly two decades. The organization employs 12 people to handle daily tasks. This includes 4 registered nurses and 2 physicians on staff. They also rely on 8 volunteers to provide extra support for patients and families. You should know that their structure allows for focused care. They do not have to answer to a large health network. Instead, the team works directly with local patients. Being a for-profit hospice means they follow specific rules set by Medicare for their certification. These rules ensure that they maintain high standards for all patients. It is a simple way to track quality. Their long history shows they have stayed committed to these standards for many years. That is a solid record for any local health provider.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Scottsboro?
Hospice care in Scottsboro brings medical experts to your door. The team visits patients where they live. This might be a private house or a care facility. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and pain-free. Nurses and doctors work together to create a plan that fits each person. They also manage medicines and medical supplies. One of the best parts is the support from volunteers. These people offer companionship when family members need a break. It takes a village to care for a sick person. The staff at this agency understands how to work with Jackson County families. They keep things simple and clear. You do not have to worry about the logistics of care. The team handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on being with your loved one. That is the main benefit of having a local team nearby.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the people who come into your home. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to an emergency call at night. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management for their patients. You want to know if they have experience with your specific needs. Ask how often the nurse will visit your home. You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling or other services? A good provider will answer these questions with patience. They should be happy to explain their process. Do not feel rushed when you talk to them. You are allowed to take your time to find the best fit for your family. Ask for clear answers. Good communication is the foundation of good care.
Keep Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of stories that deserve to be remembered by future generations.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
AVEANNA HOSPICE OF SCOTTSBORO
SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON SCOTTSBORO
HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA
IVY CREEK HOSPICE
CHATTAHOOCHEE HOSPICE INC
ACG HOSPICE-GARDENDALE
Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning today.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.