HOSPICE SPECIALISTS OF LOUISIANA
Provider Information
- Address
- 150 S. 7TH ST, STE C
PONCHATOULA, LA 70454 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 2, 2018
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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) | 6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
30
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.
11 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 35th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
73
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 day11 min
Ranks better than about 35% 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 weekends3.9%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 life88.8%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 visits30.3%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care8.9%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 months36.7%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 care7.6%
Ranks better than about 48% 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$16,777 · 43rd 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 28.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.2%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life28.9%
- 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.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia37%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Other conditions13%
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 offers end-of-life care for patients in Ponchatoula and the surrounding Tangipahoa area. Their team focuses on comfort, pain management, and emotional support for families during difficult times. They work to ensure patients live their final months with dignity and peace.
Choosing a care provider is a big decision for any family. You need a team that listens well and acts fast when symptoms change. This provider helps coordinate medical supplies, medications, and visits from nurses right at home. They aim to make the journey as gentle as possible for both the patient and their loved ones.
About HOSPICE SPECIALISTS OF LOUISIANA
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare since July 2, 2018. That is over five years of experience serving the local community. Being Medicare-certified means they meet specific federal rules for quality and safety.
What should families know before choosing them? For-profit status is common in hospice today, but every agency runs differently. The key is to look at their quality scores. They currently hold a 4.5 out of 5-star rating for their quality of care. That is a strong sign of their dedication to clinical excellence. They provide the support you need to manage symptoms at home. It is a big deal to find a team that feels like a good fit for your specific values. Take your time when you meet with them to ensure their approach matches your family's needs.
Quality Care Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in PONCHATOULA
Finding the right hospice in Tangipahoa Parish can feel overwhelming. Many families in Louisiana choose to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible. Hospice care makes this choice easier by bringing the hospital-level care to your living room. A local team knows the area and can get to your home quickly when an emergency happens.
The thing is, not all hospices are the same. Some focus more on medical tasks, while others emphasize spiritual or grief support. You should look for a team that offers a balance. Most agencies provide a nurse, a social worker, and a chaplain. They work together to treat the whole person, not just the illness. Getting the right support early on makes a huge difference. Don't wait until the very last minute to start the conversation about care options.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions during your first meeting. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your house after a call. You need to know if they have staff on duty at night and on weekends. That is a must for peace of mind.
Here are a few other things to ask:
- How do you handle sudden pain or breathing trouble at home?
- Will our current doctor still be involved in the care plan?
- How do you help family members cope with the stress of caregiving?
And remember, you are the boss here. If an agency doesn't answer your questions clearly, keep looking. You deserve a team that speaks your language and treats your family with kindness. Trust your gut feeling after you talk to them. It usually points you in the right direction.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
During this time, the memories you share are more precious than ever. Find a simple way to record your family's history and preserve those stories for the generations that follow.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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SOUTHERN GRACE HOSPICE
GENTIVA
N S I HOSPICE, L L C
ST TAMMANY HOSPITAL HOSPICE
VITALCARING GROUP
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
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.