What does hospice care mean?
Hospice care centers on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients nearing the end of life. Instead of curative treatment, hospice focuses on pain and symptom relief, emotional support, and family guidance.
Top Providers in Tennessee
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Cost & Coverage
Most hospice care in Tennessee is covered by Medicare Part A and many private insurers. Medicare typically covers nursing visits, comfort medications, medical equipment, aide services, social work, and counseling at little to no out-of-pocket cost. Out-of-pocket costs are generally limited to room-and-board in certain facility settings. Providers verify insurance eligibility and explain costs before services begin.
The hospice market in Tennessee
61 Medicare-certified hospices operate in Tennessee. 45 have a published family-experience survey result.
Every hospice in Tennessee that reported its levels of care provided more than routine home care, so continuous home care during a crisis or general inpatient care was available. Still worth confirming directly with any hospice you speak to.
How Tennessee compares
| Measure | Tennessee | TN average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Care Index (0–10, higher is better) Medicare composite of ten care indicators | 9.6 | 9.6 | 8.8 |
| Visits in the last days of life Share of patients visited by a nurse or social worker in their final days | 66.8% | 66.5% | 48.3% |
Local figures are the average across the hospices in Tennessee: 59 have a published Care Index score and 57 a published visits measure.
Ownership
| Ownership type | Hospices | Share |
|---|---|---|
| For-Profit | 34 | 56% |
| Other | 12 | 20% |
| Non-Profit | 6 | 10% |
| Not reported to CMS | 6 | 10% |
| Government | 3 | 5% |
Ownership is self-reported to Medicare. It is not a quality measure, but families often want to know it.
Highest family-survey results in Tennessee
These are not Best Hospice providers. The table below comes entirely from public Medicare data. Appearing here does not mean an organization participates in Best Hospice, is verified by us, or is recommended by us. We show it so you can research every local option, including ones we have no relationship with.
| Hospice (Medicare data) | Survey | Would recommend | Care Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Of Cumberland County INC Crossville, TN · For-Profit |
5/5 | 96% | 10.0 |
| Quality Hospice Jamestown, TN · For-Profit |
5/5 | 96% | 10.0 |
| Alive Hospice INC Nashville, TN · Non-Profit |
5/5 | 93% | 10.0 |
| Smoky Mountain Home Health And Hospice, I N C Newport, TN · For-Profit |
5/5 | 93% | 10.0 |
| Beacon Hospice New Tazewell, TN · Other |
5/5 | 92% | 9.0 |
| Baptist Hospice Union City Union City, TN · Other |
5/5 | 91% | 10.0 |
| Kindred Hospice Cookeville, TN · For-Profit |
5/5 | 90% | 10.0 |
| Prisma Health Hospice And Palliative Care Maryville, TN · Government |
5/5 | 90% | 9.0 |
Showing 8 of the 45 hospices with a published survey rating, those based in Tennessee first. The other 16 have no published rating, usually because too few families were surveyed to report it — a missing rating is not a bad rating.
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog hospice datasets, measure period 01/01/2023 - 12/31/2024. Medicare refreshes these quarterly, and the measures describe past reporting periods rather than current care. Best Hospice and Home Health is an independent directory and is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS, or any U.S. government agency.
When to Choose Hospice Care
Hospice care is appropriate when a physician certifies a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less and the patient chooses comfort-focused over curative care. Common qualifying conditions include advanced cancer, end-stage heart or lung disease, late-stage dementia, kidney failure, and ALS. Families can also ask a provider to conduct a free eligibility review.
Local note for Tennessee
Families in Tennessee often need hospice care that can start quickly, with in-home options, reliable after-hours nursing support, and clear guidance on Medicare eligibility and coverage. When comparing providers in Tennessee, ask how fast intake can begin, whether care is available on weekends and overnight, and how the team communicates with family members who live out of state.
Compare Hospice, Palliative, and Home Care
| Category | Hospice | Palliative | Home Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| When used | Comfort near end of life | Any stage of serious illness | Daily living support |
| Can include medical team | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Works with curative treatment | No | Yes | Yes |
FAQs
Is hospice care only provided at home?
No. Hospice care can be provided at home, in an assisted living facility, in a nursing home, or in a dedicated inpatient hospice facility. Most families prefer home-based hospice when possible.
How quickly can hospice care start?
Many providers can begin services within 24–48 hours after a physician certifies eligibility. In urgent situations, some agencies offer same-day intake.
Does Medicare cover hospice care costs?
Yes. Medicare Part A covers most hospice services at little to no out-of-pocket cost, including nursing visits, medications for symptom control, medical equipment, and counseling. Eligibility requires a terminal diagnosis with a 6-month prognosis.
Who is on the hospice care team?
A hospice team typically includes registered nurses, physicians, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, and bereavement counselors — all working together to support both the patient and the family.
How do I find hospice care providers near me?
Enter your ZIP code on BestHospice.com to instantly view hospice care providers in your area at no cost to your family.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Hospice care is for patients who have stopped curative treatment and have a prognosis of 6 months or less. Palliative care can begin at any stage of illness alongside curative treatment, focusing on symptom relief and quality of life.
Can a patient leave hospice care?
Yes. Patients can revoke hospice benefits at any time and return to curative treatment. They can re-enroll in hospice later if eligibility criteria are met again.
About this page
Provider listings come from the Best Hospice and Home Health directory. Medicare and coverage information on this page is drawn from official government sources and is general information, not medical advice.
Sources: Medicare.gov — Hospice care coverage, CMS — Hospice Center.
BestHospice.com is an independent directory and is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS, or any U.S. government agency.