HEART OF HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1810 MAIN STREET
FRANKLIN, LA 70538 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 26, 2005
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
11
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 reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 HEART OF HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 27th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
36
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 day10.2 min
Ranks better than about 27% 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 weekends6.6%
Ranks better than about 34% 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%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 visits35.4%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care16.1%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 months19.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care9.7%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 hospice6.5%
Ranks better than about 6% 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)74th 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$15,096 · 34th 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 73.6% 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%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life73.6%
- 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.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heart of Hospice in Franklin
Heart of Hospice serves the people of St. Mary County from their office on Main Street in Franklin, Louisiana. They provide end of life care for patients who choose comfort and support during their final months. This freestanding agency has served the community since 2005. Choosing a provider in your own town can help keep care close to home. Families often find comfort when the team lives and works in the same area. This group helps patients manage pain and symptoms so they can spend time with their loved ones. It is a local option for those who need medical care outside of a hospital setting.
About Heart of Hospice
Heart of Hospice operates as a for-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare since August of 2005. That is nearly two decades of service to the people of Louisiana. The team includes 11 employees who work together to support patients. This group features 4 registered nurses and 2 physicians. They do not currently list any volunteers on their team. Families should know that Medicare certification means the provider meets federal rules for safety and care quality. You can check these records to see how they perform on official government surveys. Understanding the staff size can help you picture how much personal attention your loved one might receive each week. It is a simple way to look at their capacity to serve the local community.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Franklin?
Hospice care in St. Mary County focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits to check on the patient and adjust their medicine. They also offer support to family members who are helping with daily tasks. Since this provider has 4 registered nurses and 2 doctors on staff, they have a solid medical team available for patient needs. Nurses often take the lead on daily care visits. Doctors work with the nurses to plan the best path for pain relief. You should ask how often a nurse will visit your home. Some families prefer more frequent visits. Others want more quiet time. Being clear about your needs helps the team build a plan that works for you. Good care is about matching the right help to the patient's goals.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a care team is a big decision for any family. You should feel free to ask questions until you feel calm. Start by asking how the team handles emergencies at night or on the weekend. You should also ask how they talk to your regular doctor about your care plan. It is a good idea to ask what happens if the patient needs more care than the home can provide. Ask about their experience with the specific illness your loved one has. You want to know if they have helped others in similar situations. Finally, ask what the team does to support the family members who are providing care. Clear answers will help you make the best choice for your situation.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be saved for your children and grandchildren to hear.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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AMEDISYS HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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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.