HEART OF HOSPICE VALDOSTA
Provider Information
- Address
- 515 NORTH SAINT AUGUSTINE ROAD, SUITE D
VALDOSTA, GA 31601 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- 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 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) | 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. 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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heart of Hospice Valdosta
Heart of Hospice Valdosta serves the community of Valdosta, Georgia. This provider offers hospice services to those needing end of life care in Lowndes County. They have been certified by Medicare since July 2006. The team works hard to support patients and their families in their own homes or other settings. Choosing a provider is a major step. This team brings years of experience to their work in the local area. They focus on medical and comfort needs for people with serious illnesses. You can find their office at 515 North Saint Augustine Road, Suite D. The team includes a mix of staff members ready to assist with daily care needs. They aim to provide consistent support for every person they serve. It is a local option for those who live in the Valdosta area and need specialized care services.
About Heart of Hospice Valdosta
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been part of the Medicare system for over eighteen years. Being a certified provider means they must meet federal rules for patient care. Their staff is made up of 14 people. This group includes 3 registered nurses and 2 physicians. They also have 10 volunteers who help with patient support. Having a dedicated team is important for hospice work. These staff members work together to manage pain and comfort. Volunteers can offer extra time for companionship. That is a helpful resource for many families during a hard time. You should know that for-profit status is common in the hospice field. It does not mean the care quality is different from other models. Focus on the specific services they offer instead. Ask them how their nurses and doctors work with your own primary care physician to keep everyone on the same page.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Valdosta?
Hospice care in Valdosta helps people live as well as they can. It is not about giving up on medical treatment. It is about shifting the focus to comfort. The team manages pain and symptoms so the patient can stay at home. They provide medical equipment and supplies that you might need. Nurses visit to check on the patient and adjust their care plan. Physicians oversee the medical side of things to ensure safety. Social workers and aides can also join the team to help with daily tasks. The goal is to keep the patient in a familiar setting. Most families find that having this extra help makes a big difference. It gives the family more time to spend together. You do not have to handle the physical care needs on your own. The staff is there to guide you through the process every step of the way.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should meet with the hospice team before you make a choice. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens. Find out who will be on the care team and how often they will visit. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management and if they offer 24-hour phone support. Ask them how they help family caregivers manage their own stress. You want a team that talks clearly and listens to your concerns. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Good providers will be open and honest with their answers. Take your time to get the information you need to feel comfortable. A good provider will welcome these questions. They want to make sure you understand how the care plan works for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be saved for the future. Capture memories and life lessons today.
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