DEACONESS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1641-A POPPS FERRY ROAD, SUITE A-5
BILOXI, MS 39532 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 7, 2015
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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) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
16
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 DEACONESS 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 DEACONESS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 51st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
82
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 day12.3 min
Ranks better than about 51% 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%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 life89.9%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 visits45.6%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 care10.2%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 months17.2%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 care10.2%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 hospice5.5%
Ranks better than about 9% 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$11,864 · 18th 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 54.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life54.3%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease29%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Deaconess Hospice
Deaconess Hospice serves the Biloxi area from their office on Popps Ferry Road. They offer specialized end-of-life care for families in Harrison County and surrounding areas. Choosing a provider is a deeply personal decision that impacts your daily life. They focus on comfort, dignity, and peace for every patient they support. The team works to manage pain and provide emotional help during a difficult season. Here is the thing—having local support makes a massive difference when you need it most. They have been Medicare certified since December 2015. This shows they have a long history of meeting federal standards for care. Whether you are just starting to look or need help right now, they are an established option in the community. It is helpful to know they are a for-profit provider when you compare local hospice choices.
Quality and Care Ratings
Deaconess Hospice currently holds an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This score comes from official Medicare data. Their quality of care rating is also 4.5 out of 5 stars. That is a strong sign that they follow best practices for medical care. The Hospice Care Index looks at specific clinical measures. It tracks how well a team manages pain and respiratory issues. But, there is another side to the story. Their patient satisfaction rating sits at 3 out of 5 stars. This survey asks families about their personal experience with communication and support. Some families might find the clinical care excellent while wanting more support in other areas. That said, these numbers provide a great starting point for your research. Always look at the data, but trust your gut feeling during your first meeting with the team.
Quality Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Biloxi
Hospice is not just about the final days. It is about living as well as possible for as long as possible. In Biloxi, families have access to several providers who offer care in homes, nursing facilities, or hospitals. The goal is simple. They want to reduce stress and keep your loved one comfortable. Most people do not realize that hospice care is fully covered by Medicare. This includes medications, medical equipment, and visits from nurses or aides. It also includes emotional support for the whole family. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local teams know the community and can often get to you quickly. They understand the unique needs of people living along the Gulf Coast. Finding the right fit is the most important step you will take today. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about when to start.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions. Do not be shy. This is your family member we are talking about. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. Speed matters when someone is in pain. Second, ask how they handle after-hours calls. Will you get a real person or a machine? Third, ask about their staff. Do they have volunteers or chaplains who can visit? What most people do not realize is that the personality of the team matters just as much as the medical stats. Ask if they have experience with your loved one’s specific condition. You want a team that feels like a partner. If a provider seems rushed or does not answer clearly, look elsewhere. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns with patience and kindness.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, memories are your most precious gift. Capture the lessons, stories, and laughter of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
ENHABIT HOSPICE OF THE GULF COAST
SOUTHERN CARE INC DBA GENTIVA
GENTIVA HOSPICE
VITALCARING GROUP
FORREST GENERAL HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CTR
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence 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.
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.
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.