PASSAGES HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 812 VERSAILLES BLVD, STE A
ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 14, 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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
12
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 PASSAGES HOSPICE 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PASSAGES HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
7.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 6th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
66
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 day7.3 min
Ranks better than about 6% 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 weekends6.1%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits65%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 months56%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 care18%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 hospice2%
Ranks better than about 37% 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$24,422 · 80th 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 53% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.7%
- Pain assessment89.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.4%
- Visits in the last days of life53%
- All care steps completed89.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease28%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Passages Hospice in Alexandria
Passages Hospice serves families in Alexandria, Louisiana, from their office on Versailles Boulevard. They provide hospice care for those facing life-limiting illnesses. This provider has served the local community for over two decades. They first earned Medicare certification in August 2003. Their team offers end-of-life support to patients throughout Rapides County. They remain focused on delivering comfort and care to those in need.
About Passages Hospice
Passages Hospice operates as a for-profit, freestanding hospice provider. They have maintained Medicare certification for over 20 years. This long history shows their experience with federal quality standards. Families should know that Medicare certification means they meet strict rules for patient safety and care quality. This provider manages a team of 12 employees to support their daily operations. The team includes one physician and four nurses. Having a dedicated medical staff on hand helps ensure that patient needs are met quickly. They work to coordinate care plans that fit each person's unique situation. It is a good idea to ask how they handle after-hours calls. You should also ask how they coordinate with your current primary doctor. Knowing these details helps you feel more prepared for the care ahead.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Alexandria?
Hospice care in Alexandria centers on comfort and symptom management for patients at home or in facilities. The goal is to improve quality of life when a cure is no longer the main focus. A hospice team usually includes doctors, nurses, and social workers. At this specific location, the staff includes three registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. These professionals handle medication, pain management, and emotional support. They visit regularly to monitor the patient and provide guidance to family members. The physician on staff oversees the plan to ensure everything stays on track. Care is delivered where the patient lives. This allows families to spend more time together in a familiar space. The team stays in close touch with the family to answer questions and adjust care plans as needs change.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting the right care provider is a big decision for your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency. You should also ask how they manage pain and other symptoms at night. Find out how many visits a nurse will make each week. It is also wise to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Ask how they help family members cope with the stress of caregiving. Do they offer volunteer services or grief support? Knowing how they support the whole family makes a big difference. Write down your questions before you call. Good providers will be happy to answer everything clearly and with kindness. Take your time to get the answers you need.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture memories and life lessons to share with future generations during this important time.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
CHRISTUS HOSPICE ST FRANCES CABRINI
FAITH FOUNDATION HOSPICE, INC
HARBOR HOSPICE OF ALEXANDRIA, LP
GUARDIAN HOSPICE CARE,LLC
STILL WATERS HOSPICE, LLC
HEART OF HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
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.
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.