LEGACY HOSPICE OF THE SOUTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 1111 STARK ROAD
STARKVILLE, MS 39759 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 16, 2007
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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) | 14 |
| Physicians | 0 |
26
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 LEGACY HOSPICE OF THE SOUTH 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 LEGACY HOSPICE OF THE SOUTH compares to hospices nationwide.
13.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 60th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
104
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 day13.2 min
Ranks better than about 60% 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 weekends5.6%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits35.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care3.6%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 months48.2%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care2.7%
Ranks better than about 74% 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)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$24,276 · 79th 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 80% 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%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life80%
- 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%
- Dementia35%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Starkville
Legacy Hospice of the South provides end-of-life care for patients and their families in Starkville, Mississippi. Their team works to manage pain and improve quality of life during a very difficult time. They serve the local Oktibbeha County area with a focus on comfort and dignity. The goal is simple: helping loved ones stay in their own homes whenever possible. It makes a big difference when familiar faces provide the care. That is the heart of what this team does every day for the community.
About LEGACY HOSPICE OF THE SOUTH - STARKVILLE
This provider operates as a for-profit organization and has been Medicare-certified since January 2007. That is nearly two decades of serving the Starkville area. Experience matters when you are choosing a care team for someone you love. Being Medicare-certified means they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. But what does that mean for your family? It means they have gone through regular checks to make sure they provide high-level care. Families should know that they have a long track record here. You can feel confident that they understand the local health system well. It is always a good idea to call them directly to discuss your specific needs. They are ready to answer your questions about how their care works in your home.
Understanding Hospice Care in STARKVILLE
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different kind of care that focuses on comfort instead of a cure. In Starkville, many families use these services to help their loved ones stay comfortable at home. The team usually includes nurses, doctors, and aides who visit you. They can help with medicine, equipment, and emotional support for the whole family. The thing is, many people wait too long to call. They think hospice is only for the very last few days of life. But hospice can provide support for six months or even longer in some cases. Getting help early often makes the entire experience much better for everyone involved. It gives the family more time to focus on being together rather than worrying about daily tasks.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a personal decision. You need to feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking how quickly they can respond if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. You should also ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific philosophy on comfort. It is also good to ask how often a nurse will visit your home. Every family has different needs, so be clear about what you expect. Do not be afraid to ask for references or more details about their staff training. A good provider will be happy to talk through these things with you. They should make you feel like a partner in your loved one's care plan.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is hard, but it is also a precious chance to capture memories and wisdom from your loved ones. We offer tools to help you record and save those important life stories for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ADORATION HOSPICE CARE MISSISSIPPI
DELTA HEALTH- THE MEDICAL CENTER (HOSPICE)
ENHABIT HOSPICE OF THE GULF COAST
NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CTR
Helpful Guides for Families
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.
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.