PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-BLUE RIDGE
Provider Information
- Address
- 6050 APPALACHIAN HWY, CLOCK TOWER CROSSING
BLUE RIDGE, GA 30513 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 29, 2003
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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
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 PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-BLUE RIDGE 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 PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-BLUE RIDGE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
68
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 day14.9 min
Ranks better than about 75% 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 weekends6.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 life98.3%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits11.2%
Ranks better than about 95% 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 care13.3%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 months43.3%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care3.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 hospice3.3%
Ranks better than about 22% 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)74th 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$13,653 · 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 84.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life84.1%
- All care steps completed99.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About PruittHealth Hospice-Blue Ridge
PruittHealth Hospice-Blue Ridge serves families in Fannin County from their office on Appalachian Highway. They offer comfort-focused care for patients nearing the end of life. This freestanding hospice has been certified by Medicare since 2003. They focus on providing support to patients and their loved ones during difficult times. The team works hard to ensure comfort and dignity remain the top priorities for every person they serve. It is a local choice for those needing specialized end-of-life support. This office provides care that meets federal standards. Choosing the right provider is a heavy task for any family. That is why having local options with a long history matters. They aim to make the process as simple as possible for you.
Provider Details
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have held Medicare certification for over two decades. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus entirely on hospice services rather than running a larger hospital. This allows them to dedicate all their resources to specialized care. Families should look for providers that show a consistent history of meeting quality goals. This location has a solid track record with federal oversight agencies. They employ a team of twenty people to manage patient needs. This includes seven registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have a physician on staff to oversee medical care plans. Having a dedicated medical team helps ensure that symptoms are managed well. It brings peace of mind to know that experts are watching over your loved one. That is a big deal when you are caring for someone at home.
Quality Performance
Hospice Care in Blue Ridge
Finding the right care in a small community like Blue Ridge means looking for a team that knows the area. This provider is staffed with seven registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Having these professionals nearby helps when urgent needs arise. The care team also includes a doctor to guide the medical side of things. Most people do not realize how much a hospice team does beyond just medical care. They provide emotional support and help with daily tasks too. When you choose a local team, you get people who understand the community values. This provider has been serving the area for many years. They know how to work with local families during their most vulnerable moments. The small team size allows for a more personal touch. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns and acts quickly. Good care is always about people first.
Questions for Your Hospice Search
You should feel empowered to ask hard questions when you interview a hospice team. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain and symptom management for their patients. Ask about their communication style as well. Will you have one main contact person to call with your questions? This helps reduce stress for your family. You might also want to ask how they support family members with grief after a loss. Do they offer counseling or support groups? A good hospice provider will be happy to answer these questions honestly. They want you to feel confident in your choice. Take your time to find the right fit for your loved one. You are doing a great thing by seeking the best care possible.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family has a unique history that deserves to be remembered for generations to come. Start documenting your memories today to keep those precious moments alive.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HOSPICE SATILLA OF MEM HOSP
WEST GEORGIA HOSPICE
THOMASTON HOSPICE, INC
HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC.
COLQUITT REGIONAL HOSPICE
PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-MACON
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.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
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.