HospiceScout

HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC.

For-ProfitFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
486 NEW STREET
MACON, GA 31201
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
June 4, 1998

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC.
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)24
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)4
Physicians4
Volunteers18

63

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 HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC. 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC. compares to hospices nationwide.

9.9 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 24th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

108

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 day9.9 min

    Ranks better than about 24% 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 weekends7.9%

    Ranks better than about 50% 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 life96.5%

    Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits47.3%

    Ranks better than about 57% 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 care8.2%

    Ranks better than about 38% 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 months42.2%

    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 care8.8%

    Ranks better than about 42% 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 hospice0.7%

    Ranks better than about 53% 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)79th 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$18,506 · 53rd 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 77.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening100%
  • Pain assessment99.3%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment96.5%
  • Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids98.1%
  • Visits in the last days of life77.9%
  • All care steps completed97.6%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer24%
  • Dementia24%
  • Heart and circulatory disease26%
  • Lung and respiratory disease11%
  • Stroke3%
  • Other conditions13%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Hospice Care Options Inc. in Macon

Hospice Care Options Inc. provides end-of-life support to families in Macon, Georgia. They operate out of their office on New Street in Bibb County. This provider focuses on comfort, dignity, and symptom management for patients facing a terminal illness. They work to ensure that every patient feels supported during their final months or weeks. Hospice care is not just about the patient, though. It is also about helping the entire family find peace and guidance during a very difficult time. By choosing a local provider like this, you ensure that help is nearby when you need it most. That matters when you are trying to balance caregiving duties with daily life. The team here is dedicated to making sure your loved one remains comfortable and at home whenever possible.

About HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC.

Hospice Care Options Inc. has been Medicare-certified since June 4, 1998. This is a for-profit hospice agency. Being in business for over 25 years shows they have a long history of serving the Macon community. Families should know that being for-profit does not change the core mission of hospice care. All Medicare-certified providers must follow strict federal rules to ensure quality. The team here has spent decades learning how to support patients with complex needs. It is important to look at their track record when making your decision. They have shown a consistent commitment to meeting federal quality standards for a long time. That kind of longevity is something most families look for when they start this search. You can feel confident knowing they have been part of the local healthcare landscape for more than two decades.

Top-Tier Quality Care

Hospice Care Options Inc. holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating from Medicare. They also earned 5/5 stars for both their quality of care and patient satisfaction. This means patients and their families consistently report excellent experiences with their team.

Understanding Hospice Care in MACON

Macon is home to several hospice options, but not all of them offer the same level of service. Hospice is a special way of caring for people who have a life-limiting illness. It shifts the focus from trying to cure the sickness to making the patient as comfortable as possible. The main goal is to reduce pain and help the patient live their final days with peace. In Bibb County, you have access to teams that include doctors, nurses, and social workers. These professionals visit your home to provide care where you feel most safe. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. You do not have to wait for a doctor to suggest it. If you or a loved one are struggling with symptoms, you can reach out to a hospice provider to learn more about your options today.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your house if there is an emergency in the middle of the night. You deserve to know that help is available 24/7. Second, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after the patient passes away. Grief support is a key part of the hospice mission. Third, ask how they handle pain and symptom management on the weekends or holidays. You want a team that is always ready. And finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions honestly. They want you to feel confident in the care they will provide for your family.

Keep Their Stories Alive

Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom to share. Preserving these stories can be a beautiful way to honor their life and provide comfort to your family for years to come.

Start Preserving Memories

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

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.