FAMILY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1550 TIMOTHY RD, SUITE 203
ATHENS, GA 30606 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 28, 2020
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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) | 13 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
28
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 FAMILY 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FAMILY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 25th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
133
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 min
Ranks better than about 25% 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%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 life94.2%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 visits49%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care8.9%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 months19.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care23.4%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 hospice3.2%
Ranks better than about 23% 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$14,153 · 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 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 57.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.7%
- Pain assessment97.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.5%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.0%
- Visits in the last days of life57.6%
- All care steps completed89.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia35%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Family Hospice in Athens
Family Hospice serves patients in Athens, Georgia. They operate from their office on Timothy Road. This provider offers end-of-life care to people in Clarke County and the surrounding areas. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2020. Their team works to support patients who need comfort and specialized medical attention. Families often turn to them when a loved one faces a life-limiting illness. They focus on providing care that meets federal standards for hospice services. The team aims to help patients live their final days with dignity in a place they call home. Choosing the right care is a big decision for any family. This provider offers a clear option for those in the Athens area looking for support. They work hard to meet the needs of every person they serve daily.
About Family Hospice
Family Hospice functions as a for-profit organization. They gained their Medicare certification on January 28, 2020. This certification means they follow strict rules set by the government. These rules cover the quality of care and safety for every patient. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on this specific type of care. They do not operate as part of a hospital or nursing home. This setup allows them to dedicate all their resources to hospice patients. Families should know that Medicare certification is not a guarantee of perfection. It is a baseline that shows the provider meets federal requirements. You can look at their public ratings to see how they perform in practice. These scores show how well they manage pain and how happy their patients feel. That is a good starting point for your own research into their services.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Athens?
Hospice care in Athens centers on keeping the patient comfortable and pain-free. The team includes 28 total employees who manage daily medical needs. This group features 13 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. These nurses handle the clinical side of care. They visit the patient to check on symptoms and adjust medications as needed. The rest of the staff helps with emotional or spiritual support for the family. Hospice care happens wherever the patient lives. This could be a private house or an assisted living facility. The goal is to keep the patient in a familiar space. Nurses are available to help when symptoms become hard to manage at home. They explain what to expect so families feel more prepared. It is a team effort designed to make life easier for everyone involved in the care process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should talk to a few providers before you make a final choice. Ask them how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is very important if symptoms change fast at night or on weekends. You should also ask how they handle pain management and comfort measures. Ask them to explain their process for updating family members on the patient's condition. You might ask what support they offer to family caregivers who need a break. It is helpful to know if they have volunteers who can sit with the patient. Ask how they coordinate with the primary doctor to ensure everyone stays on the same page. Write down these answers so you can compare your options. Do not feel rushed to pick a provider until your questions are answered to your satisfaction.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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