AMEDISYS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1061 DOWDY ROAD SUITE 206
ATHENS, GA 30606 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 23, 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 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) | 16 |
| Volunteers | 18 |
32
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 AMEDISYS HOSPICE 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how AMEDISYS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 66th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
26
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 day13.8 min
Ranks better than about 66% 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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life94.4%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 visits38.2%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 months42.1%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care36.8%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$14,097 · 29th 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 71.7% 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%
- Visits in the last days of life71.7%
- 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.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Amedisys Hospice
Amedisys Hospice serves families in Athens, Georgia, from their office on Dowdy Road. This provider offers end of life care for those in the Oconee area. They have earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This third party group checks that providers meet high standards for safety and service. Choosing an accredited hospice means you are working with a team that follows strict rules. It is a good sign for your family to look for when you compare different local providers.
Provider Background
Amedisys Hospice is a for-profit provider that has offered services since 2011. Being a for-profit group means they operate under specific business models while staying accountable to federal standards. Their long history of Medicare certification shows they have met government rules for over a decade. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, or ACHC, reviews their work to ensure they follow best practices. This accreditation is a voluntary step that shows a commitment to quality. The agency does not just meet the baseline requirements. They go the extra mile to prove their processes work well for patients. Families should know that these ratings reflect how the agency performs on government quality metrics. It helps to see how they stack up against other options in the region.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Athens?
Hospice care in Athens centers on comfort and personal support for your loved one. The team at this location includes 16 registered nurses and 18 volunteers who work together to meet patient needs. Having this many nurses on staff allows for a focused approach to managing symptoms. Volunteers also offer extra companionship which can be a relief for caregivers at home. This freestanding hospice model means they focus entirely on hospice services rather than other medical care. The team works to keep patients in their own homes whenever possible. You can expect them to coordinate with your doctor to build a plan that fits your situation. It is all about keeping the patient comfortable during their final months or weeks. That is the main goal of every hospice team in Georgia.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team takes time and careful thought. You should start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home in an emergency. Ask about the specific services their volunteers provide to support your family. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. You need to know if they have staff available around the clock. Ask for a clear explanation of how they will communicate with you about changes in your loved one. Good communication makes a huge difference. You might also ask if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one faces. Getting clear answers helps you feel more confident in your choice. Take your time with these questions.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is hard, but it is also a chance to capture the memories and wisdom of your loved ones to share with future generations.
Start Recording StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
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Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.