BALLAD HEALTH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 280 STEELES ROAD
BRISTOL, TN 37620 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 12, 1995
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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) | 21 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
38
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 BALLAD HEALTH HOSPICE 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BALLAD HEALTH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 76th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
54
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 day15 min
Ranks better than about 76% 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 weekends12.7%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 life96.6%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 visits23.9%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 care21.5%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 months18.3%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 care14%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 hospice2.2%
Ranks better than about 35% 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)100th 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$5,280 · 1st 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 30% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- 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 life30%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease20%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions17%
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 Bristol
Ballad Health Hospice provides end-of-life care for families in Bristol, Tennessee. They serve the Sullivan County community from their office on Steeles Road. This team focuses on comfort and support when patients need it most. They help patients stay as comfortable as possible during their final months. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their loved ones. Choosing a hospice team is a big decision for any family. You want care that is close to home and easy to reach. Ballad Health Hospice has served the local area for many years. They provide medical, emotional, and spiritual help to those facing a serious illness. Their team works to meet the unique needs of every person they serve in Bristol.
About Ballad Health Hospice
Ballad Health Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since early 1995. This long history shows their commitment to the community. They operate under an 'Other' ownership model. This means they are part of a larger health network in the region. Families should know that being Medicare-certified means they meet strict federal standards for care. These standards ensure that your loved one gets safe and reliable support. When you research a provider, look at their history of service. A long-standing provider often has deep roots in the local community. They know how to connect families with the right resources in Sullivan County. You can call them at (423) 844-5252 to learn more about their specific programs. It is important to ask how they handle after-hours care. You deserve to feel supported at all times of the day or night.
Understanding Hospice Care in Bristol
Hospice care is for people with a serious illness who choose comfort over a cure. It happens in the patient's home, a nursing facility, or a hospice house. In Bristol, you have access to teams that include doctors, nurses, and social workers. They work together to manage pain and other symptoms. The focus is on the person, not just the disease. Hospice also provides support for the whole family. This includes counseling and help with daily tasks. Many families find that hospice brings peace during a hard time. It allows you to spend more quality time with your loved one. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local providers are there to walk beside you. They understand the resources available in Tennessee. They can help you navigate the end-of-life journey with dignity and grace.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a vital step for your family. Ask these questions to help you make your choice:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if there is an emergency?
- What specific services do you offer for emotional or spiritual support?
- How do you handle pain management for the patient?
- Can you explain how your team will work with our current doctors?
Take your time when you meet with a provider. It is okay to ask for more information or clarification. You need to feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. A good provider will answer your questions with kindness and patience. They should explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Do not feel rushed to make a decision. Your peace of mind matters most during this transition.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories and wisdom to share. Capturing these memories can be a meaningful gift for your whole family. Start preserving their journey today.
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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.
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.
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.
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.