SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON SCOTTSBORO
Provider Information
- Address
- 301 S. HOUSTON ST
SCOTTSBORO, AL 35768 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 7, 1988
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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) | 41 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 10 |
| Volunteers | 27 |
139
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 SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON SCOTTSBORO 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON SCOTTSBORO compares to hospices nationwide.
12.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
372
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 day12.2 min
Ranks better than about 50% 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 weekends4.9%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 life96.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 visits34.3%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care8.4%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 months38.9%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care14.5%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$20,614 · 64th 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 78.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment99.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.8%
- All care steps completed98.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease45%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions7%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Scottsboro
SouthernCare New Beacon Scottsboro offers hospice support for residents in Jackson County and the surrounding Alabama area. This freestanding provider has served the community since 1988. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, known as CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they meet high standards for clinical care and patient safety. Families looking for end-of-life support can find a team here that focuses on comfort and symptom management. They work to honor the wishes of those they serve while supporting loved ones through the process. Having a local team means they understand the area well. It is a stable choice for families in need of professional help. You can reach their main office on South Houston Street to learn more about their specific service area and how their team works with local doctors.
About SOUTHERNCARE NEW BEACON SCOTTSBORO
This agency operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare for over three decades. That long history shows they have stayed part of the local healthcare system for a very long time. The CHAP accreditation is a mark of quality that means an outside group checked their work. These groups look at how a provider manages care and keeps patient records. They also check how well the staff follows federal rules. This provider employs 139 people to support their mission. This includes 41 registered nurses and 10 physicians. They also have 27 volunteers who give their time to help patients. Having many staff members allows for a wide range of support options. Families should look for a provider that matches their values and needs. This agency provides a clear look at their care standards through their long track record of service in this region.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SCOTTSBORO?
Hospice care in Alabama focuses on making a patient as comfortable as possible. It is not about curing an illness. Instead, the focus shifts to managing pain and emotional distress. In Scottsboro, this provider relies on a large team to deliver this care. With 41 registered nurses and 10 physicians on staff, they have the medical depth to handle complex needs. They also have 2 licensed practical nurses and 27 volunteers. This mix of staff means patients get care from different experts. Nurses handle clinical tasks like managing medicine. Physicians oversee the overall medical plan. Volunteers often provide companionship or help with small daily tasks. The team works together to create a plan that fits the home or facility setting. Most care happens where the patient lives. That helps keep things familiar and calm. It is a team effort to make every day better for the patient and their family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing care for a family member is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Ask how they handle pain management changes on weekends. You also want to know how the staff will talk to your current doctors. It is good to ask how they support family members during this hard time. Do they offer grief support or counseling after the loss? Ask about the role of volunteers in your specific case. Find out if they have experience with the specific illness your loved one has. You can also ask for examples of how they handle emergencies. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions clearly. They want you to feel sure about your choice. Take your time to get the answers you need to feel at ease.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be kept safe for future generations to treasure. We provide a simple way to record and save the memories that matter most.
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