HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC - SOUTHERN
Provider Information
- Address
- 2018 HARDY STREET, SUITE 210
HATTIESBURG, MS 39401 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 9, 2017
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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) | 8 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
17
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, LLC - SOUTHERN 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC - SOUTHERN compares to hospices nationwide.
10.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
68
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 day10.5 min
Ranks better than about 31% 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 weekends3.5%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 life93%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 visits46.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 months31.9%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care8.8%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 hospice11%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$19,383 · 57th 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 70% 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%
- Visits in the last days of life70%
- 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.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia40%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Providing Compassionate Care in Hattiesburg
Heart of Hospice, LLC - Southern serves the Hattiesburg community from their office on Hardy Street. They offer end-of-life care designed to bring comfort and peace to patients and their families. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision that shapes the final months of a loved one's life. This team focuses on managing pain and supporting the emotional needs of everyone involved. They understand that every family has a unique story. Their goal is to help you navigate this transition with dignity and respect. When you reach out to them, you are connecting with local professionals who know the Forrest County area well. It is about making sure your loved one stays comfortable in their own home or facility. That matters more than anything else during this time.
About HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC - SOUTHERN
This provider has been Medicare certified since October 2017. As a for-profit organization, they operate with a clear structure to ensure they meet federal standards for patient care. The thing is, choosing a for-profit hospice is common across Mississippi. What you should know is that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow strict rules for safety and quality. They have provided care in this region for several years now. That longevity shows they have built a system for supporting families through tough health challenges. You want to feel confident in the team you pick. They have established a track record that families in the Hattiesburg area can look at when making their plans. It is always a good idea to call them directly to ask how they handle specific needs like medication delivery or weekend emergency support. They are there to answer those questions for you.
Quality of Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in HATTIESBURG
Hospice is a special kind of care for people with serious, long-term illnesses. In Forrest County, many families use these services to improve their quality of life. The main focus is not on curing the illness, but on helping the person live as fully as possible. Doctors, nurses, and social workers visit the home to provide regular support. And here is a secret: hospice is not just for the final days. The earlier you start, the more support you receive. It covers medical equipment, medicines for pain, and even counseling for the family. So, if your loved one is facing a life-limiting condition, you do not have to do this alone. There are resources here in Hattiesburg that can help you manage the day-to-day stress. It is about keeping your loved one close while getting the expert medical help they need.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to choose the best care for your family. Start by asking these questions to get a clear picture of how a provider works. First, ask: "How quickly can a nurse get to my home if we have an emergency at night?" That is vital for your peace of mind. Next, ask: "What specific support do you offer to family caregivers who are tired?" You need to know if they provide respite care to give you a break. Also, ask: "How do you handle changes in pain medication if the current ones are not working?" You want a team that is quick to act when comfort is at stake. Finally, ask about their experience with your specific health condition. Every hospice is a little different. Do not be afraid to be direct. The right team will appreciate your care and attention to detail.
Preserve Your Family's Story
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. Capturing their memories and stories can be a beautiful way to honor their life and keep their legacy alive for years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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GENTIVA
ENHABIT HOSPICE
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.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
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Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
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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.