GENTIVA
Provider Information
- Address
- 403 HOSPITAL ROAD
STARKVILLE, MS 39759 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 30, 2004
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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) | 9 |
| Volunteers | 15 |
22
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 GENTIVA 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 GENTIVA 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.
163
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 weekends3.7%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 life93.4%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits39.2%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care3.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 months54.3%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 care13.7%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$23,588 · 77th 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 69.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment99.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life69.6%
- All care steps completed98%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease38%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Gentiva in Starkville
Gentiva provides hospice care services to residents in Starkville, Mississippi. This provider has been certified to serve Medicare patients since 2004. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, known as CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they meet high standards for health and safety. Their location on Hospital Road serves families throughout Oktibbeha County. Finding the right support during a health crisis is hard. Having an accredited partner nearby can offer peace of mind during difficult transitions. Their team works to meet the specific needs of patients and their loved ones in the local area.
About Gentiva
This agency operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus entirely on end-of-life care rather than being a small part of a hospital. They have earned accreditation from CHAP. This means they invite outside experts to check their work on a regular basis. These experts look at how the team manages pain and supports families. The agency employs 22 staff members in total. This group includes nine registered nurses who handle clinical care. They also manage a team of 15 volunteers. Volunteers offer extra companionship and support for families. These numbers matter because they show how much help is available when you need it most. Having a strong team helps ensure that someone is always ready to answer your questions or assist with physical comfort measures. It is good to know who is on the care team.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in STARKVILLE?
Hospice care in Starkville centers on comfort and dignity at home or in a facility. Providers like Gentiva work to manage symptoms so patients can spend time with their families. The care team typically includes nurses, aides, and social workers. With nine registered nurses on staff, this location has a clear focus on clinical oversight. They also bring in 15 volunteers to help with daily tasks or provide a friendly presence. This mix of staff helps ensure that physical and emotional needs get addressed. Care plans change as a patient's condition changes. The main goal is to keep the patient comfortable and pain-free. Families play a role in this process by sharing what matters most to their loved ones. A good team listens closely to these goals. They adjust their plan to match what the family wants to achieve each day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how the nurses handle pain during the night or on weekends. It is good to know if they have staff available 24 hours a day. Ask how often a nurse will visit the home to check on the patient. You should also ask about the role of the volunteers and how they can help your family. Ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. Clear communication prevents problems later on. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs care in a hospital instead of at home. Knowing the answer to these questions helps you feel prepared for the road ahead.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved ones have lived full lives with many memories to share. Taking time to record these stories can bring comfort to your family for years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ARDEN OF CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI, LLC
DELTA HEALTH- THE MEDICAL CENTER (HOSPICE)
ENHABIT HOSPICE OF THE GULF COAST
NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CTR
FORREST GENERAL HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
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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.