HOSPICE OF YANCEY COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 856 GEORGE'S FORK ROAD
BURNSVILLE, NC 28714 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 29, 1993
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) | 13 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 15 |
34
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 HOSPICE OF YANCEY COUNTY 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF YANCEY COUNTY 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.
73
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 weekends7.9%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 visits78%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 care1.8%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care1.8%
Ranks better than about 78% 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)83rd 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$22,320 · 71st 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 74.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment99.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment81%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life74.5%
- All care steps completed92.6%
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%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease34%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Yancey County
Hospice of Yancey County serves the Burnsville area with dedicated end-of-life support. They provide comfort-focused care for patients and their families at their home base on George's Fork Road. This team helps manage pain and offers emotional support during a difficult time. Their goal is to keep patients comfortable in their own surroundings. They have served the community for decades, ensuring that families in Yancey County receive compassionate, local attention when it matters most. It is comforting to know such support is nearby.
About Hospice of Yancey County
This organization operates as a non-profit provider. That is a big deal for families because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since July 29, 1993. That is over thirty years of experience helping local people. Most families do not realize how much that history matters. It means they know the community well and understand the local culture of care. When you choose a non-profit with this much tenure, you are often choosing a team deeply rooted in the area. They have stood the test of time by putting people first.
Top-Tier Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Burnsville
Finding the right care in a rural mountain town can feel overwhelming. But you have options. Hospice care is not just about the end of life. It is about making the most of every day you have left. The team in Burnsville visits you where you live. They bring medicine, equipment, and a kind heart to your front door. Many people mistakenly think hospice means giving up. The truth is, it means choosing to focus on comfort instead of painful treatments. It allows you to spend your energy on the people you love. You do not have to walk this path alone. There is a whole team waiting to help you carry the load.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel sure about your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. Speed matters when someone is in pain. Next, ask what volunteers do. Good programs use volunteers to offer extra companionship or respite for caregivers. You should also ask how they help families deal with grief after a loss. Does the hospice offer support groups or counseling? Lastly, ask if they have 24/7 phone access. You never know when you will need a question answered at 3:00 AM. A good provider will be ready to pick up the phone. Don't be afraid to ask these hard questions. They are used to it.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories, lessons, and stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF NASH GENERAL HOSPIT
JOHNSTON HEALTH HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
TILLERY COMPASSIONATE CARE
MEDI HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF SCOTLAND COUNTY
Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.