BIG BEND HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1723 MAHAN CENTER BLVD
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 19, 1986
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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 August 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) | 56 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 8 |
| Physicians | 4 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
218
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 BIG BEND HOSPICE 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
- 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 2012.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BIG BEND HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
10.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 26th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
377
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 day10.1 min
Ranks better than about 26% 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 weekends7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 life93.4%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits77.9%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 care9.2%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 months34.3%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 care3.5%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice0.7%
Ranks better than about 53% 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)94th 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$13,686 · 26th 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 48.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.0%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.1%
- Visits in the last days of life48.4%
- 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.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Big Bend Hospice Inc
Big Bend Hospice Inc serves the Tallahassee, Florida area from their location on Mahan Center Boulevard. This freestanding hospice provider offers end-of-life care for families in Leon County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1986. The agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This organization checks that hospice providers follow high standards for patient safety and care quality. Choosing an accredited agency shows a commitment to these standards. It provides a clear way to measure how a provider operates. They focus on meeting the needs of patients in their local community. Their team approach helps address the physical and emotional needs of those they serve. This is a long-standing organization with decades of service behind them.
About Big Bend Hospice Inc
Big Bend Hospice Inc operates as a non-profit organization. This means their focus stays on patient care rather than profits. They have provided hospice services since 1986. That is a long history of serving the Tallahassee region. Their accreditation from the ACHC is a mark of quality. The ACHC reviews agencies to ensure they follow strict rules for care delivery. They look at how staff handles medical needs and patient comfort. This process helps ensure families get the support they deserve during a difficult time. The agency employs 218 people to manage their daily operations. This includes a staff of 56 registered nurses and 8 licensed practical nurses. They also have 4 physicians and 4 volunteers on their team. These numbers show a large team ready to help. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific care methods and how they assign staff to each case.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Tallahassee?
Hospice care in Tallahassee focuses on keeping patients comfortable and supported. It is not about curing an illness but improving the quality of each day. The team visits patients wherever they call home. This might be a private house or a care facility. The staff includes registered nurses, physicians, and volunteers who work together. They manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. Because this provider has a large team of 56 registered nurses, they have the resources to respond to changing needs quickly. They also include 8 licensed practical nurses to help with daily tasks. Having 4 physicians on staff means they have medical leadership to guide care plans. The volunteers provide extra companionship for patients and support for caregivers. It is a team effort to ensure comfort remains the top priority. They adjust the plan of care as the needs of the patient change over time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice provider is a personal choice for every family. You should ask questions to understand how they will care for your loved one. First, ask how quickly a nurse can visit if a problem happens at night or on a weekend. Response time is a big deal. Ask how they coordinate care with your current doctors. It is helpful to know who will be the main contact person for your family questions. You might also ask how they support family members with grief after a loss. Ask about the experience of their staff in managing complex pain symptoms. Do they provide specialized support for certain conditions? Make sure you feel heard when you speak with their intake team. A good provider will take the time to answer every question you have. Do not rush this process. Take your time to find the best fit for your specific needs.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
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Some stories are worth writing down
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