HOSPICE OF WEST ALABAMA
Provider Information
- Address
- 3851 LOOP ROAD
TUSCALOOSA, AL 35404 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 8, 1989
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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) | 28 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
68
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 HOSPICE OF WEST 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
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- 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 2010.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF WEST ALABAMA compares to hospices nationwide.
14.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 71st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
100
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 day14.4 min
Ranks better than about 71% 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 weekends5.9%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 life99.4%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 visits14.7%
Ranks better than about 93% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months32.6%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 care12.4%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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)99th 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$11,940 · 18th 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 81.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life81.6%
- All care steps completed98.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia31%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Tuscaloosa
Hospice of West Alabama provides end-of-life care for families in the Tuscaloosa area. They serve patients directly from their office on Loop Road. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for every person they support. Choosing hospice is a big decision. This team works hard to make sure patients feel safe and cared for during their final months. They offer skilled medical teams who come right to the home. This helps families stay together in a familiar space. The staff understands that this time is hard. They bring kindness and expert medical help to your front door. It is about more than just medicine. It is about helping your loved one live each day as well as they can. That is the goal of hospice care in Alabama.
About HOSPICE OF WEST ALABAMA
This provider has been serving the community since February 1989. That is over 35 years of experience in local care. They operate as a non-profit organization. Here is the thing—non-profit status often means the mission stays focused on the patient rather than the bottom line. They are Medicare certified, which means they follow strict federal rules for safety and quality. Families should feel good knowing this provider meets these high standards. What most people do not realize is that all Medicare-certified hospices must offer the same core services. These include nursing, social work, and chaplain support. But not every hospice delivers that care in the same way. The history and local focus of this team make them a staple in Tuscaloosa. You are choosing a group that has deep roots in the region. That kind of stability matters when you are going through a tough time.
Top-Rated Care
Understanding Hospice Care in TUSCALOOSA
Tuscaloosa has several options for hospice, but finding the right fit is key. Most care happens where the patient lives. This could be a private house or a nursing home. The main goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient stays alert and comfortable. And it is not just for the final days. Many families wait too long to call. Starting care early allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. The nurses and aides become part of your support system. They help with the hard tasks so you can focus on being a family member again. If you have questions about what is covered, just ask. Medicare pays for almost all costs related to a terminal illness. That includes equipment, medicine, and visits from the care team. It is a vital resource for our city.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider is a big step. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Ask how often a nurse will visit your loved one. It is also smart to ask about volunteer services. Volunteers can sit with patients or give caregivers a much-needed break. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs more care than the home can provide. A good hospice will have a plan for inpatient stays if symptoms get too tough to manage at home. Do not be afraid to ask these questions. The staff expects them. A provider that answers clearly and kindly is usually the right choice for your family. Trust your gut during these meetings.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This season of life is a time to honor the past. Use our simple tools to help preserve your family's history and stories for the generations to come.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ALABAMA HOSPICE CARE OF MOBILE
COMPASSUS SOUTHERN ALABAMA
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