COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 212 E HIGHLAND DR.
LAKELAND, FL 33813 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 21, 2011
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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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
54
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 COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC compares to hospices nationwide.
11.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 45th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
279
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 day11.8 min
Ranks better than about 45% 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 weekends10.4%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits73.1%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care9.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months36.6%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 care7.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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)79th 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$15,954 · 39th 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.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia32%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke17%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care Hospice of Central Florida Inc
Compassionate Care Hospice of Central Florida Inc serves patients in Lakeland, Florida. This freestanding hospice provider offers care to families in Polk County. They have been certified by Medicare since 2011 to provide end of life services. The agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This means they meet high national standards for care. Choosing a local provider allows for faster response times for your loved one. It keeps care close to home. They focus on meeting the needs of those they serve in the Lakeland area.
About Compassionate Care Hospice of Central Florida Inc
This is a for-profit hospice provider. It has operated in Lakeland for over a decade. The agency is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks to make sure a hospice follows strict safety rules. They look at how the staff treats patients and manages medications. Families should know that accreditation shows a clear commitment to quality. It is a voluntary step that agencies take to prove they follow best practices. With fifty-four total employees, they have a team ready to help. That includes eleven registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. They work together to support patient health and comfort throughout their time in hospice. Having a dedicated staff is a key part of their service model. You can feel better knowing they have outside groups checking their work.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in LAKELAND?
Hospice care in Lakeland focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. It aims to manage pain and symptoms at home or in a facility. This provider uses a team of eleven registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses to handle medical needs. They also have one volunteer on staff to assist with emotional support. The care team creates a plan that fits the specific needs of each person. They visit the home to check on the patient and talk with family members. This keeps the focus on the person rather than the illness. Most people find that having a team of nurses helps them feel more in control. It removes the stress of managing complex medical tasks alone. You can ask for help with daily routines and emotional support as well. The goal is to make every day as comfortable as possible for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered when talking to a hospice team. Start by asking how many nurses they have available for after-hours calls. You need to know who will answer if you have an emergency at night. Ask how they handle pain management for their patients. It is also good to ask how often a nurse will visit your home. You should ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health condition. Another good question is how they involve family members in the care plan. Ask about their volunteer services and how they help with emotional support. Make sure you understand their process for providing supplies and equipment. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with a manager to get these answers. Getting clear information helps you make the right decision for your family.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Recording memories and life lessons is a gift for future generations. Start preserving your family history today.
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