HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA
Provider Information
- Address
- 1788 US HIGHWAY 46
WINFIELD, AL 35594 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 15, 1994
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
14
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 NORTHWEST 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
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA compares to hospices nationwide.
13 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
42
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 day13 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits2.3%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 months20%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$20,195 · 62nd 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 94.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.1%
- Visits in the last days of life94.3%
- All care steps completed97.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease38%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Your Loved Ones in Winfield
Hospice of Northwest Alabama serves families in Winfield and the surrounding Marion County area. They offer comfort-focused care for those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision for any family. This provider works to manage pain and help patients live their final months with dignity. The goal is always to keep the patient comfortable in their own home or a care setting. It is about focusing on quality of life when time matters most. Families often find that having this extra support makes a hard time a little bit easier to manage. You are not meant to walk this path alone. Having a local team nearby means they can respond to your needs quickly. They are there to listen, support, and guide you through the difficult physical and emotional shifts that happen during end-of-life care.
About HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA
Hospice of Northwest Alabama is a non-profit organization. That is a big deal. Non-profits often put all their extra money back into patient care. They have been Medicare-certified since March 15, 1994. Having thirty years of experience in the community shows a strong commitment to local families. They are located at 1788 US Highway 46 in Winfield. When you look for a hospice provider, history matters. You want a team that knows the local healthcare landscape inside and out. They have seen many changes in medicine over the last three decades. But their mission to provide care remains the same. You can call them at (205) 487-8140 to learn more about how they can help your specific situation. Choosing a group with a long track record gives many families peace of mind. They have spent years building trust with neighbors in Marion County.
Top-Tier Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Winfield
Hospice care is a special type of support. It is not just about medical treatment. It is about managing pain and helping with the emotional side of dying. In Winfield, hospice teams travel to wherever the patient calls home. This might be a private house or a nursing facility. The team includes nurses, doctors, social workers, and volunteers. They all work together to build a plan that fits the patient. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. You do not have to wait until the very end. Starting care early allows the team to build a relationship with the patient. It also gives the family more time to learn how to provide care. Medicare pays for hospice services when a doctor expects the patient has six months or less to live. But you can always ask for a consult to see if it is time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You also need to know how they handle pain management at night and on the weekends. It is vital to ask who will be on your specific care team. Will you see the same nurse every week? Consistency helps build trust. Finally, ask what support they offer to the family after a loss. This is called bereavement support. Good hospice providers offer this for at least a year. Do not feel rushed to pick a provider. Take notes during your calls. Compare the answers to see which team feels like the right fit for your loved one. You are the advocate, so trust your gut feeling when you talk to them.
Preserve Your Family’s Stories
This time of life is about more than just medical care. It is a time to honor the life that was lived. We can help you capture those important memories and stories to share with your family for generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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