HEART OF HOSPICE VALDOSTA
Provider Information
- Address
- 515 NORTH SAINT AUGUSTINE ROAD, SUITE D
VALDOSTA, GA 31601 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 20, 2006
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 10 |
14
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 HEART OF HOSPICE VALDOSTA 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEART OF HOSPICE VALDOSTA compares to hospices nationwide.
7.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 7th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
15
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day7.5 min
Ranks better than about 7% 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 weekends9%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 life93.4%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits68.3%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 months58.3%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 hospice8.3%
Ranks better than about 3% 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$16,471 · 41st 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 78.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.8%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Other conditions30%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Valdosta
Heart of Hospice Valdosta serves patients and their families throughout Lowndes County from their office on North Saint Augustine Road. They provide specialized end-of-life care designed to manage pain and improve quality of life. The team focuses on comfort, dignity, and personal support for those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a local provider often means the staff knows the community well. That matters when you need a team that feels like neighbors. They understand the specific needs of families in the Valdosta area. Whether care happens at home or in a facility, their goal is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. It is all about providing the right care at the right time. You are not alone in this process. Having a local team nearby can offer real peace of mind during a very difficult season of life.
About HEART OF HOSPICE VALDOSTA
Heart of Hospice Valdosta has been Medicare certified since July 20, 2006. That gives them nearly two decades of experience serving the community. They operate under an 'Other' ownership model, which is common for many hospice agencies. When you look for a provider, history tells a story. A long record of Medicare certification shows they have met federal standards for a long time. You should know that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow strict rules for safety and care quality. This agency is located in Suite D at 515 North Saint Augustine Road. They are ready to answer your questions about how hospice works. The thing is, many people wait too long to call. You do not have to wait for a crisis to reach out. Learning about your options early helps you make the best choice for your loved one. It is a big step, but you have help.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in VALDOSTA
Hospice is a special way of caring for people who have a terminal illness. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live each day with as much comfort and joy as possible. In Valdosta, families have access to teams that include nurses, doctors, and social workers. They work together to help with physical pain and emotional needs. The team also supports family members who are grieving or feeling overwhelmed. Most hospice care happens in the patient's own home, but it can also happen in nursing homes or assisted living centers. The goal is to keep the patient in a familiar place. You might be surprised to learn that hospice can also provide help with household tasks or errands. It is a full circle of care. The team steps in so you can focus on being a family member rather than a caregiver. That makes a world of difference.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a personal decision that takes time. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions before you sign any papers. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how they manage pain and if they have a doctor available 24/7. It is smart to ask how they support the family after a loss, too. Ask them, 'How often will a nurse visit my loved one?' and 'Who do I call if I have a question on a weekend?' You want to know that you have a partner you can trust. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity if you do not understand a term they use. This is your loved one’s care. You are the expert on what they need. A good provider will be happy to explain everything to you.
Keep Their Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture their stories and wisdom for future generations to cherish.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HOSPICE SATILLA OF MEM HOSP
HOSPICE CARE OPTIONS INC.
CRISP REGIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
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Some stories are worth writing down
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