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Finding hospice care in Nashville
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country and home to a large and expanding senior population — particularly in Williamson County (Brentwood, Franklin) and surrounding suburbs. The city's healthcare system is one of the most developed in the Southeast, anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas, TriStar Health (HCA Healthcare), and a network of community hospitals across the metro.
When choosing a hospice provider in Nashville, the most important factors are response time, after-hours nursing availability, and experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. A provider serving Davidson County may also serve Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, or Sumner counties — confirm coverage for your specific location before enrolling.
Questions to ask Nashville hospice providers before enrolling:
- How quickly can you start — including same-day if needed?
- What is your on-call nursing response time on nights and weekends?
- Do you have experience with my loved one's diagnosis (cancer, dementia, heart failure, COPD)?
- Do you accept Medicare, TennCare, and/or private insurance?
- Who is the primary contact for the family?
Nashville hospice coverage area
Nashville hospice providers typically serve Davidson County and surrounding communities. Common coverage areas include:
- Nashville, Antioch, Donelson, Hermitage, Madison, Berry Hill
- Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station (Williamson County)
- Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne (Rutherford County)
- Hendersonville, Gallatin, Goodlettsville (Sumner County)
- Lebanon, Mount Juliet (Wilson County)
If your loved one lives outside the immediate Nashville metro, confirm coverage with the provider before proceeding. Providers in Murfreesboro or Gallatin may also be options for those in outlying areas.
Transitioning from a Nashville hospital to hospice
Many hospice enrollments in Nashville begin with a hospital stay. A physician, case manager, or social worker at the hospital recommends hospice when curative treatment is no longer appropriate. Major Nashville hospitals that coordinate hospice transitions include:
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville's academic medical center and Level I trauma center; has a palliative care team that coordinates hospice referrals across specialties.
- Ascension Saint Thomas West and Saint Thomas Midtown — Major regional hospitals with case management teams experienced in hospice transitions.
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center — HCA Healthcare's flagship Nashville hospital; frequently coordinates post-acute transitions including hospice.
- Saint Thomas Rutherford (Murfreesboro) — Serves southern Davidson and Rutherford County patients who may prefer a provider closer to home.
If your loved one is being discharged and the hospital has not raised hospice, you can ask directly: "Can we speak with a social worker about hospice options before discharge?" You can also contact a hospice provider directly — they can assess eligibility based on medical records and facilitate the physician certification without going through the hospital.
Medicare hospice coverage in Nashville
Medicare Part A covers the vast majority of hospice costs for eligible Nashville patients. In 2026, this includes:
- Nursing visits — $0 to the patient
- Comfort medications related to the terminal diagnosis — $0 or up to $5 per prescription
- Medical equipment (hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen, bedside commode) — $0
- Home health aide and homemaker services — $0
- Social worker visits — $0
- Chaplain and spiritual care — $0
- Bereavement counseling for family — $0
- Inpatient respite care (short-term relief for family caregivers) — 5% coinsurance
Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, also covers hospice for qualifying low-income residents. TennCare managed care organizations serving the Nashville area include BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Amerigroup. Medicare Advantage plans (such as BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, and Aetna) must cover hospice at least at the level Medicare Part A does — though how they interact with the hospice benefit varies. Ask your provider to verify your specific plan.
Room and board in a nursing facility or assisted living community is not covered by Medicare's hospice benefit. If your loved one is in a facility, the hospice provider supplements the care provided there — it does not replace the facility's room and board charges.
What to expect when you call a Nashville hospice provider
The process is simpler than most families expect:
- Free evaluation: A hospice nurse or social worker visits the home — or the hospital room — to assess the patient, review records, and confirm eligibility. This is free and does not obligate enrollment.
- Physician certification: The attending physician certifies a prognosis of six months or less. The hospice physician can also serve as attending if the primary physician is not available.
- Benefit election: The patient or legal representative signs a hospice election statement. For Medicare patients, this shifts coverage to the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
- Intake visit: An intake nurse visits — typically within 24 to 48 hours — to assess symptoms, arrange medication delivery, order equipment, and build a care plan.
From first call to nurse in the home is typically one to two days in the Nashville area. In urgent discharge situations, same-day starts are frequently possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find hospice care in Nashville, TN?
Search BestHospice.com by ZIP code to find verified hospice providers serving Nashville and surrounding communities including Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Hendersonville. Free for families, no referral fees.
Does Medicare cover hospice in Nashville?
Yes. Medicare Part A covers nursing, medications, equipment, home health aide, social work, and chaplain services — most at $0 to the patient. A physician must certify a prognosis of six months or less.
What hospitals in Nashville coordinate hospice referrals?
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas West, Saint Thomas Midtown, and TriStar Centennial all have palliative care teams and case managers who coordinate hospice transitions.
Does TennCare cover hospice in Nashville?
Yes. TennCare covers hospice for qualifying low-income residents. Managed care organizations in the Nashville area include BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Amerigroup.
How quickly can hospice start in Nashville?
Most providers can begin within 24 to 48 hours. Same-day starts are often possible for urgent hospital discharge situations.
Is a hospice evaluation free in Nashville?
Yes. The initial evaluation — a nurse or social worker visiting the home to assess eligibility — is free and does not obligate enrollment.
Related guides
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