CARDINAL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 8280 YMCA PLAZA DRIVE , BLDG 3 STE A
BATON ROUGE, LA 70810 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 11, 2007
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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 7 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
27
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 CARDINAL 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARDINAL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
6.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 4th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
33
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 day6.8 min
Ranks better than about 4% 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 weekends4.8%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 life53.9%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 visits88%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 care6.8%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months38.6%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 care13.6%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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)67th 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$21,249 · 67th 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 21.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment64.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life21.1%
- All care steps completed75.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia34%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Cardinal Hospice in Baton Rouge
Cardinal Hospice serves families in Baton Rouge and the surrounding East Baton Rouge area. This freestanding hospice provider offers care designed to support patients and their loved ones. They have provided these services to the community since their Medicare certification in 2007. Their team works to meet the needs of those facing serious illness. Having a local provider can make a big difference for your family. They focus on comfort and peace during this time.
About Cardinal Hospice
Cardinal Hospice operates as a for-profit hospice organization. They have been certified by Medicare for over fifteen years. This long history shows they have kept up with federal standards for a significant amount of time. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus their entire effort on this specific type of care. Their team includes four registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also work with seven physicians and four volunteers to support their daily operations. Families should know that this provider maintains a team of twenty-seven people total. These numbers provide a clear picture of the resources they have on hand. It helps to understand the size of the team that will support your loved one. That is how they manage their daily care duties.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Baton Rouge?
Hospice care in Baton Rouge centers on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or a facility. The main goal is to manage pain and provide emotional support for the entire family. A team approach works best here. You will often see nurses, doctors, and volunteers working together to handle different needs. At Cardinal Hospice, the staff includes four registered nurses and seven physicians. This group coordinates with family caregivers to ensure the patient feels heard and supported. Care plans change based on how the patient feels each day. The team visits as often as needed to adjust medications or offer comfort. This flexibility is a key part of how they serve the local community. It allows families to focus on spending time together instead of worrying about medical logistics.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with a few providers to find the best fit for your situation. Take time to ask clear questions before you make a choice. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Second, ask which staff members will visit most often to help with daily needs. Third, ask how they handle pain management and if they have specific doctors on their team. Finally, ask about the volunteer program and how those people help the family. These questions help you understand the level of support you can expect. Good communication is the foundation of a strong care plan. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if an answer is not clear to you.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your family has a unique history that deserves to be remembered for years to come. Start recording your memories today to create a lasting gift for future generations.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
CLARITY HOSPICE OF BATON ROUGE
AUDUBON HOSPICE CARE
BRIDGEWAY HEALTHCARE & HOSPICE
HOSPICE SPECIALISTS OF LOUISIANA
HOSPICE COMPASSUS - BATON ROUGE
LIFE SOURCE SERVICES OF BATON ROUGE
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.
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.
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.