Ascend Hospice Care, LLC
A hospice in Monroe, Louisiana 71203
4404 Old Sterlington Road, Suite 102, Monroe, Louisiana 71203. (318) 398-8190.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 2 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- Not rated family caregiver rating
- 8of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean2
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
2 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 12 hospices serving ZIP code 71203 had 1.
The last inspection on record was on Nov 13, 2025: a recertification inspection by the state.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
2 deficiencies in 2 months of the last 36. Last cited Nov 2025. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Nov 13, 2025: recertification inspection by the state1 deficiency
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In-service training (42 CFR 418.76(d))
The inspectors’ words, 196 words
“Based on record review and interview, the Hospice agency failed to ensure all hospice aides received at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12 month period for 2 (S3HHA, S4HHA) of 2 Hospice aides currently employed by the agency for at least one year. Findings: Review of the agency’s current staff list revealed S3HHA and S4HHA were full time employees. Review of personnel record for S3HHA revealed the date of hire as 04/04/2023. There was no evidence of any documented in-service training hours from January 01, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Review of personnel record for S4HHA revealed the date of hire as 03/14/2023. There was 7 hours of documented in-service training hours from January 01, 2024 through December 31, 2024. On 11/13/2025 at 3:45 p.m., an interview with S1Adm confirmed S3HHA and S4HHA did not complete 12 hours of required in-service training for the year of 2024. On 11/13/2025 at 4:50 p.m., an interview with S2DON confirmed HHAs were required to complete 12 hours of in-service training during each 12 month period. S2DON further confirmed S3HHA and S4HHA did not complete their 12 hours of required in-service training for the year of 2024.”
Oct 30, 2024: complaint inspection by the state1 deficiency
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Content (42 CFR 418.104(a)(1))
The inspectors’ words, 357 words
“Based on record review and interview, the hospice provider failed to ensure that each patients record must include clinical notes for 1 (#1) of 3 (#1, #2, and #3) patient clinical records reviewed. The hospice provider failed to ensure a skilled nurse visit note was completed for patient #1. Findings: Review of the Patient Clinical Record Policy (Undated) included in part: Purpose: The clinical record shall be a comprehensive compilation of information that is documented promptly for all services provided. The record will be organized to facilitate retrieval of information. Specific entries to the clinical record shall be made and signed by the person providing the service. All services, whether provided by employees, person under contract, or volunteers shall be documented in the clinical record. Review of the medical record revealed patient #1s start of care date was 08/10/2024. Further review revealed patient #1 had expired and was discharge on 09/12/2024. Review of the medical record revealed patient #1 had a primary diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of right bronchus or lung. Further review revealed a secondary diagnosis as other pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale-related and shortness of breath-related. Review of Care Plan/Physician Order revealed a certification period from 08/10/2024 – 11/07/2024. Review further revealed the orders for discipline and treatments included a skilled nurse was to be implemented one time per week for one week then two times per week for thirteen weeks. Review of the medical record revealed there was no documented evidence of a skilled nurse visit note being completed for patient #1 on the dates of 08/12/2024 and 08/19/2024 to indicate the status of patient #1s condition on those dates. On 10/30/2024 at approximately 1:45 p.m., S1Administrator was notified of the findings noted above. She revealed that S2Registered Nurse (RN) had been assigned the skilled nurse visits with patient #1 on the dates of 08/12/2024 and 08/19/2024. S1Administrator confirmed that she had not spoken with S2RN to determine why a note was not completed. S1Administrator further confirmed that a skilled nurse visit note was to be completed for all patients receiving hospice services, in accordance with the providers policy. /”
All 2 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2025 | Recertification inspection by the state | 1 deficiency cited |
| Oct 30, 2024 | Complaint inspection by the state | 1 deficiency cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Dec 30, 2011.
- Ownership: for-profit.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 1 deficiency cited in the last three years came from an inspection that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 9.4 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 4.8% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 88.8% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 49% at home, 5% in assisted living, 44% in a nursing facility, 2% elsewhere.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 9.4 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 4.8% |
| Visits near death | 88.8% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Jdec Health LLC owns 14.29% directly since Jun 15, 2016; Veritas Health Services LLC owns 14.29% directly since Apr 7, 2022; Rjg Health LLC owns 14.29% directly since Jun 15, 2016; Monla Healthcare LLC owns 14.28% directly since Jun 15, 2016; Threshold Investments LLC owns 14.28% directly since Jun 15, 2016; Joebus5, LLC owns 7.15% directly since Apr 7, 2022.
- Quality Care Givers Inc. runs it.
- 15 owners or officers are people: Amanda Waggoner (managing employee (on the payroll), 100%); David L Barnes (owns 5% or more through other companies, 14.29%); Michael Ashbrook (owns 5% or more through other companies, 14.28%); Avery Causey (owns 5% or more directly, 14.28%); James Shelton (owns 5% or more through other companies, 7.15%); Randy W Head (owns 5% or more directly, 7.14%); Robert Causey (owns 5% or more through other companies, 7.14%); Carol Shelton (owns 5% or more through other companies, 7.14%); Karale Dixon-Causey (owns 5% or more through other companies, 7.14%); Karale Dixon-Causey (limited partner, 7.14%); Joe B Henry (owns 5% or more directly); Rod Baronet (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Robert Causey (corporate officer); Dawn Moran (corporate officer); David L Barnes (managing employee (under contract)).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Care Givers Inc. | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | 100% | Jun 15, 2016 |
| Jdec Health LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 14.29% | Jun 15, 2016 |
| Veritas Health Services LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 14.29% | Apr 7, 2022 |
| Rjg Health LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 14.29% | Jun 15, 2016 |
| Monla Healthcare LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 14.28% | Jun 15, 2016 |
| Threshold Investments LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 14.28% | Jun 15, 2016 |
| Joebus5, LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 7.15% | Apr 7, 2022 |
What do families say?
- CMS gives no family caregiver survey rating: “The number of cases is too small to report Star Ratings.”
- In CMS’s survey of family caregivers (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 82% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 80% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 8 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 100% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 56.5% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | Not rated |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 8 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 12 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 71203, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 1; this one had 2.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Ascend Hospice Care, LLC This hospice | 2 |
| Passages Hospice | 2 |
| Hospice Compassus -Monroe | 1 |
| Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care | 0 |
| St Joseph Hospice & Palliative Care of Monroe, LLC | 0 |
| Heart of Hospice, LLC | 1 |
| Elara Caring | 0 |
| Christus Hospice Shreveport-Bossier | 0 |
| Acg Hospice | 0 |
| Allegiance Hospice & Palliative Care | 1 |
| Premier Hospice, LLC | 1 |
| Caring Hands Hospice | 1 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.