WELLSTAR COMMUNITY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4040 HOSPITAL WEST DRIVE
AUSTELL, GA 30106 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 19, 1984
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 76 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 6 |
| Physicians | 2 |
155
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 WELLSTAR COMMUNITY HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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.
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 WELLSTAR COMMUNITY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 68th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
184
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 day14 min
Ranks better than about 68% 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 weekends11.9%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 life91.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits63.4%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care9.8%
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 months24.4%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care6.1%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 hospice1.2%
Ranks better than about 48% 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)100th 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$8,229 · 5th 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 37.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.9%
- Visits in the last days of life37.9%
- All care steps completed98.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia6%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke28%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Wellstar Community Hospice
Wellstar Community Hospice offers dedicated end of life care for families in Austell, Georgia. They provide medical and emotional support to those facing a life limiting illness. This provider holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. That is a big deal. It means they meet high standards for patient safety and care quality. They have served the community since 1984. That long history shows they are a steady presence for local families during hard times. Their team works hard to keep patients comfortable at home. Choosing the right care team feels heavy. But knowing a provider has earned national recognition helps you feel more at ease. They focus on dignity for every single person they serve. You deserve to know that your loved ones are in good hands. They bring expertise to the bedside every day.
About Wellstar Community Hospice
This hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have been certified by Medicare for many decades. The Joint Commission accreditation they hold is a rigorous process. It checks how well a team manages pain and supports family needs. Most families want to know that their provider follows strict safety rules. This accreditation proves that they do exactly that. They employ a large team of 155 people. This includes 76 registered nurses and 6 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 physicians on staff. That is a strong medical presence. Having so many nurses means they can respond quickly when needs change. What most people do not realize is how much the nursing staff drives daily care. You want a team that is large enough to handle emergencies. They have the staff to do that well. It is a solid foundation for your care journey.
Quality Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in Austell
Finding local hospice care in Cobb County can feel like a maze. You want to find someone who knows the area. You also want a team that is ready to help at a moment's notice. The hospice team in Austell is built to support you at home. They focus on pain management and comfort. It is not just about medicine, though. It is about human connection. Their staff includes doctors and many nurses. They work together to make sure symptoms stay managed. That is their main goal. When you choose a local team, you get people who know how to help quickly. They understand the local health system. This makes the process much smoother for your family. You are not alone in this. Reach out to them to see how their team fits your specific needs today.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a personal choice. You should feel comfortable with the people you invite into your home. Start by asking how they handle pain after hours. You need to know that someone is always available to answer your call. Ask how often a nurse will visit your loved one. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers. Do they offer help with errands or emotional support? You might ask how they handle changes in a patient's condition. Ask if they have experience with your specific diagnosis. See if they offer volunteer support for extra companionship. Finally, ask what makes their team special. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them. A good provider will listen to you with patience and care. You should feel heard and respected throughout the entire process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of stories that deserve to be remembered. Start capturing those memories today to create a lasting gift for future generations.
Start PreservingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
ST. MARY'S HOSPICE SERVICES
PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-MACON
CRISP REGIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
HOSPICE OF SOUTH GEORGIA, INC.
COLUMBUS HOSPICE, INC.
WEST GEORGIA HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning today.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.