ST. MARY'S HOSPICE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 1021 JAMESTOWN BLVD SUITE 219
WATKINSVILLE, GA 30677 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 17, 1991
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) | 17 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
25
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 ST. MARY'S HOSPICE SERVICES 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
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- 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 ST. MARY'S HOSPICE SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
13.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 62nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
58
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 day13.4 min
Ranks better than about 62% 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 weekends14%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 life94.3%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 visits44.2%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 months24.7%
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 care14.3%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 hospice5.2%
Ranks better than about 10% 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)93rd 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$10,906 · 14th 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 64.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.5%
- Pain assessment98.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.9%
- Visits in the last days of life64.7%
- All care steps completed96.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Mary's Hospice Services
St. Mary's Hospice Services provides care in Watkinsville, Georgia. This hospice has been certified by Medicare since early 1991. They offer support for patients and families who need end-of-life care in their own homes or other settings. The team focuses on managing pain and symptoms to improve daily comfort. That is their main goal. Their long history of service shows they have been a steady part of the local medical community for decades.
About St. Mary's Hospice Services
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the group puts any extra money back into their programs rather than paying owners. They are also part of a hospital system. This connection can provide extra resources for patient care. The staff includes 25 people total. You will find 17 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses on their team. These nurses perform the bulk of the clinical work. Having so many nurses helps ensure that patients see a skilled professional often. Choosing a provider with a long history of Medicare certification is one way to check their experience. It means they have followed federal rules for a very long time. That adds a layer of safety for your loved one. You should always look at how a team is built to see if it fits your specific needs.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Watkinsville?
Hospice care in Oconee County centers on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits to check on the patient and adjust medications. They also offer emotional support to family members during this time. Because St. Mary's Hospice Services has a team of 17 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses, they can provide frequent clinical visits. This is good for families who want to know a nurse is nearby. The goal is to keep life as normal as possible. They work to prevent hospital stays by managing issues before they become emergencies. Most hospice care in this area follows a standard plan. A doctor, nurse, and aide work together to create a schedule. You can ask for more visits if your loved one has new symptoms. It is a flexible way to get help.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to interview any hospice team before you sign up. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask who you should call when you have a question on the weekend. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management and if they have extra staff for spiritual support. Finally, check if their nurses are available 24 hours a day. You need to know who will be at the door when things get difficult. Do not feel rushed to pick a provider. Take your time to get clear answers. Getting the right fit makes a big difference for your family. If you do not understand an answer, ask them to say it in a simpler way. They should be happy to explain their process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be kept safe for the future.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
BRISTOL HOSPICE- EAST GEORGIA
PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-ATHENS
AGAPE HOSPICE CARE OF CLARKE COUNTY, LLC
OGEECHEE AREA HOSPICE, INC.
PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-MACON
COLQUITT REGIONAL HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hospice conversations with your loved ones. Get expert scripts, signs it is time, and tools to find quality care near you with Hospice Scout.
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.
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.