COMPASSUS-ATHENS
Provider Information
- Address
- 2470 DANIELS BRIDGE ROAD BLDG 100 SUITE 181
ATHENS, GA 30606 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 18, 2007
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
20
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 COMPASSUS-ATHENS 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 COMPASSUS-ATHENS 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.
61
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 weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 life96.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 visits53.6%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 care7%
Ranks better than about 45% 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%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 care22.1%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 hospice3.5%
Ranks better than about 20% 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$8,471 · 6th 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 67.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.5%
- All care steps completed99.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassus-Athens Overview
Compassus-Athens serves the community of Athens, Georgia. They offer hospice services to families throughout Clarke County. This provider holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. They have been certified by Medicare since April 2007. Their team works in a freestanding setting to support patients during end of life care.
About Compassus-Athens
This hospice operates as a for-profit provider. It has served the area for over seventeen years. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews their standards to ensure they meet national benchmarks for safety and quality. This process involves a deep look at how they manage patient care and clinical records. Families should know that this accreditation shows a commitment to meeting set rules. The agency employs twenty staff members. This group includes eight registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. They also work with three volunteers who provide extra support. These staff members handle the day to day care needs of their patients. Choosing a provider is a major decision for your family. Understanding these facts helps you see how they operate behind the scenes. They maintain a consistent presence in the local healthcare market.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Athens?
Hospice care in Athens focuses on comfort and dignity. It helps patients manage symptoms at home or in a facility. Most teams include nurses, aides, and social workers. Compassus-Athens relies on a team of twenty staff members to coordinate these services. This includes eight registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. These professionals handle pain management and personal care tasks. Volunteers also assist with companionship and small errands. The goal is to improve the quality of daily life for the patient. Many families find that having a dedicated team reduces their own stress. You can expect regular visits from the clinical staff. They work with your doctor to create a plan that fits your specific needs. It is a team effort. You should feel comfortable asking questions about how they handle after hours emergencies.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more prepared. Start by asking how the team handles pain during the night. You should also ask about the response time for urgent calls. Find out how often a nurse will visit your home. Ask if they have staff available on weekends. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers. These answers will show if the provider fits your expectations. Make sure you understand the role of the volunteers as well. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on any part of the care plan. You deserve clear answers about your loved one's care. Good providers will welcome these questions. They want you to feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Preserve Family Stories
This time is difficult, but capturing your family history provides comfort for generations to come. Start recording your memories today.
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