SMOKY MOUNTAIN HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE, I N C
Provider Information
- Address
- 222 HERITAGE BLVD
NEWPORT, TN 37821 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 23, 1994
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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) | 61 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 77 |
122
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 SMOKY MOUNTAIN HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE, I N C 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SMOKY MOUNTAIN HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE, I N C compares to hospices nationwide.
9.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 19th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
312
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 day9.4 min
Ranks better than about 19% 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 weekends7.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits50.2%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 months47.6%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care12.7%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 hospice4.1%
Ranks better than about 16% 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)52nd 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$17,751 · 49th 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 75.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.1%
- Visits in the last days of life75.3%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- 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 Newport
Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice, Inc. serves families throughout Newport, Tennessee. They offer essential hospice care to support patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life during a very difficult season. The staff understands that staying at home is often the most peaceful option for families. They bring medical care and emotional support directly to your front door. Whether you need help managing symptoms or just need a listening ear, this team is ready to step in. It is about making every day count. They work hard to ensure your loved one feels safe, heard, and cared for in their own space. Choosing the right partner for this journey is a big decision. This group has been part of the Newport landscape for a long time. They aim to provide relief not just for the patient, but for the entire family unit as well.
About Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice, Inc.
This provider has been Medicare certified since June 23, 1994. That is over 30 years of experience serving the community. They operate as a for-profit organization. Some families wonder if that makes a difference. The truth is, quality of care is what matters most. CMS data shows they are performing at the top of their field. They hold a perfect overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. That includes a 5-star rating for their quality of care and another 5 stars for patient satisfaction. What that means for you is simple. Past families have reported very high levels of trust and comfort with this team. You want a partner with a long track record of excellence. They have proven they can provide consistent support over many decades. It is reassuring to see such high scores across the board. They clearly value their role in the Cocke County area.
Top-Tier Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Newport
Hospice is not a place you go to give up. It is a specialized way to get more support at home. In Newport, families often face long travel times to reach large hospitals. Hospice changes that by bringing the experts to you. The goal is to focus on comfort rather than a cure. They handle the hard stuff like pain management and daily hygiene tasks. This lets you spend your time just being a daughter, son, or spouse again. The thing is, many families wait too long to call. They think hospice is only for the very last days of life. But hospice can actually help for months if the patient qualifies. It is a safety net for your family. And it includes support for your grief after your loved one passes. You do not have to carry this heavy load on your own. Help is just a phone call away in Cocke County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider feels overwhelming, but you have the power to ask questions. Start by asking how quickly they can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that someone is available 24/7. Ask how they manage pain and if they have a doctor who works with your own primary physician. It is also good to ask how their volunteers help families. Some providers offer extra support like respite care to give you a break. Ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health needs. You should feel comfortable with the staff. Do they answer your questions clearly? Do they seem to listen to your concerns? Trust your gut feeling during these talks. If they seem rushed or use words you don't understand, look elsewhere. You deserve a partner who explains things in plain English. Take your time to get the answers you need.
Keep Their Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories to share. Preserving these stories can be a beautiful way to honor their life and keep their legacy strong for your children and grandchildren.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
UNIVERSITY OF TN MEDICAL CENTER HOME CARE SERVICES
KINDRED HOSPICE
HENRY COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF WEST TENNESSEE
GENTIVA II
BAPTIST HOSPICE UNION CITY
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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 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.