HOSPICE SPECIALISTS OF LOUISIANA
Provider Information
- Address
- 1761 PHYSICIAN'S PARK AVE., STE A
BATON ROUGE, LA 70816 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 9, 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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
4
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 HOSPICE SPECIALISTS OF LOUISIANA 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 HOSPICE SPECIALISTS OF LOUISIANA compares to hospices nationwide.
10.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 34th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
11
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 day10.8 min
Ranks better than about 34% 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 weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life97.2%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 visits48.6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 months69.2%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 care15.4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$19,671 · 59th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 35.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life35.7%
- All care steps completed96.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia44%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Specialists of Louisiana
Hospice Specialists of Louisiana serves the Baton Rouge area from its office on Physician's Park Avenue. This provider has offered care to the community since early 2006. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, often called CHAP. This group sets high standards for patient care and safety. It ensures the agency follows strict rules to help families get the best support during a difficult time. Choosing a certified provider makes a real difference in your experience.
About Hospice Specialists of Louisiana
This is a for-profit hospice agency operating in East Baton Rouge. Being a for-profit provider means they follow specific business models while meeting federal Medicare rules. They have maintained their Medicare certification for many years. That longevity shows they have met government standards for nearly two decades. The CHAP accreditation is another layer of oversight. It means an outside group checked their work to ensure they meet quality benchmarks. This gives families confidence that the agency values high standards. You should always look for these signs of quality when picking a partner for care. It shows the team follows best practices every single day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Baton Rouge?
Hospice care focuses on comfort and dignity for patients near the end of life. In Baton Rouge, teams work to manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. This specific agency is a smaller team. Their staff includes one registered nurse and one licensed practical nurse. Because the team is small, the nurses can often provide focused attention to those under their care. They do not currently employ physicians or volunteers. Most families find that having a dedicated nurse is the most important part of the daily routine. These nurses visit homes to check on symptoms and answer questions. It helps to have a pro nearby.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a major choice. You should ask about how they handle pain management and emergencies after hours. Ask if a nurse can come to your home at night or on weekends. It is also good to know how they plan to keep your doctor involved in your care. Ask how often the nurse will visit your home each week. You need to know who to call when you have a sudden problem. A good agency will answer these questions with honesty and clarity. Do not feel rushed to decide. Take your time to get the answers you need for your family members.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of memories and wisdom. We can help you record those stories to keep them safe for your children and grandchildren.
Start Recording StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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CLARITY HOSPICE OF BATON ROUGE
ST JOSEPH HOSPICE, LLC
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