BALLAD HEALTH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 611 CAMPUS DR
ABINGDON, VA 24210 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 23, 1996
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
3
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
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BALLAD HEALTH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
19
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 day14.9 min
Ranks better than about 75% 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 life93.7%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits24.2%
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 care12.9%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 months6.5%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 care3.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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)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$5,649 · 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 19.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life19.1%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia7%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Lung and respiratory disease20%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ballad Health Hospice
Ballad Health Hospice serves the community in Abingdon, Virginia from their office on Campus Drive. This hospice provider has offered care services since 1996. They hold accreditation from CHAP. This means an outside group checked their work to ensure they meet high standards for patient care. Choosing a hospice provider is a big step for your family. You want a team that follows clear rules and holds itself to high marks. This provider is a non-profit organization focused on hospice care. They work as part of a hospital system to help patients manage their symptoms. Knowing these facts helps you see how they fit into the local health system. It is a good starting point for your search.
About Ballad Health Hospice
Ballad Health Hospice operates as a non-profit provider in Washington County. They earned Medicare certification many years ago in 1996. Being a non-profit means they focus on their mission rather than making money for owners. They also maintain accreditation through CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to see if they follow safety and quality rules. They check everything from how the team manages pain to how they handle medical records. When a hospice meets these standards, it shows they care about the details. Families should know that CHAP accreditation is a sign of quality. It proves the agency keeps up with national health trends. You can feel better knowing they put in the work to get this seal of approval. It is a standard that helps keep care safe for everyone involved.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Abingdon?
Hospice care in Abingdon focuses on comfort and quality of life. The team visits you where you live to help with pain and daily needs. Ballad Health Hospice runs with a small team including one registered nurse and one volunteer. This small group works closely with the hospital system to coordinate care. Having a registered nurse on staff means you have a pro to help with your medical symptoms. The volunteer can offer extra support for the family during hard times. They aim to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible. Each person gets a plan made just for them. The goal is to keep life peaceful and calm. You can ask them how they coordinate with your primary doctor. They have seen many families in Washington County over the years. This local experience makes a difference in how they provide care every day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a personal decision. You should ask questions that help you understand how they will care for your loved one. First, ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home if there is an emergency at night. You need to know if they have staff on call around the clock. Second, ask how they help the family with grief and emotional support. It helps to know what resources they provide to your loved ones. Third, ask about their experience with the specific illness your family member has. It is good to know if they have specialized training for certain conditions. Finally, ask who will be the main person you call with questions. Having one main contact can make things much easier for you. Take your time to get clear answers before you decide on a partner.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of memories and wisdom. Capture these stories now to keep their voice and legacy alive for future generations of your family.
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