SHEPHERD HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 106 W BANKHEAD STREET
NEW ALBANY, MS 38652 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 29, 2020
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 2 |
7
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 SHEPHERD 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SHEPHERD HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 29th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
10
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 day10.4 min
Ranks better than about 29% 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 weekends1.9%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits44.1%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months78.3%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 care34.8%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 hospice8.7%
Ranks better than about 3% 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)89th 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$30,725 · 92nd 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 52.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment52.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed68.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Heart and circulatory disease48%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Shepherd Hospice in New Albany
Shepherd Hospice serves the New Albany area from their office on West Bankhead Street. They provide care for patients in Union County who need support during the final stages of life. This group has been certified by Medicare since October 2020. They are a freestanding hospice provider focused on clinical care. Choosing the right partner for your loved one is a major decision. We want to make sure you have the facts. Their team works to meet the needs of each patient. They help families find comfort and peace. That is their primary goal. You can reach their office directly at (662) 539-7086 to ask about their specific programs or availability for new patients. It is a good idea to call them early.
About Shepherd Hospice
Shepherd Hospice operates as a for-profit entity. They have maintained their Medicare certification for several years now. This certification means they must follow national rules for patient safety and care quality. The hospice employs seven staff members to handle their daily operations. This includes two registered nurses who provide direct care to patients. Being a smaller, freestanding agency allows them to focus on specific needs in the Union County area. They do not belong to a larger hospital system. This can sometimes lead to more personal attention for your family members. You should ask about how their staff handles after-hours calls. This is a common question for families. Understanding who will be in the home is helpful. Always check if their care plan fits your personal goals for your loved one.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in New Albany?
Families in New Albany have access to various hospice options to help manage end-of-life care. Hospice care typically happens in the place you call home. The team visits to manage pain and provide emotional support for everyone involved. At Shepherd Hospice, the staff includes two registered nurses. These nurses handle medical tasks and coordinate with your own doctor. Having a small team of seven people means you may see the same faces more often. Consistency helps build trust during a difficult time. The care focuses on comfort rather than a cure for the illness. Your family will have a say in how that care looks. They should explain the plan clearly to you. If you have questions, just ask them. They are there to support you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice requires asking the right questions. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. This is vital for your peace of mind. Ask who will be the main person you call at night or on weekends. You want to know if you are talking to a nurse or an answering service. Find out how they help with medicines and medical gear. Do they handle the delivery of these items to your house? This can save you a lot of stress. Ask how many patients each nurse sees in a typical day. A lower number often means they have more time for your specific needs. Keep these questions written down. It makes the conversation easier to manage.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of stories and wisdom. We can help you capture those memories to keep them safe for your children and grandchildren.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HOMECARE HOSPICE NORTH LLC DBA LEGACY HOSPICE OF T
COMFORTCARE HOSPICE
LEGACY HOSPICE OF THE SOUTH (* DEEMED )
COMPASSUS-MID-MISSISSIPPI
HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC - JACKSON
ARDEN OF CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI, LLC
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.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
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.