Ballad Health Hospice
A hospice in Bristol, Tennessee 37620
280 Steeles Road, Bristol, Tennessee 37620. (423) 844-5252.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 4of 5 family caregiver rating
- 9of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- 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?
8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 10 hospices serving ZIP code 37620 had 4.5.
The last inspection on record was on Sep 13, 2024: a reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
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
8 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Sep 2024. 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.
Sep 13, 2024: reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care8 deficiencies
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(6))
The inspectors’ words, 238 words
“Upon patient record review, 5 of 26 (Patient #2, 7, 8, 9, 11) did not have evidence in the patient record that a review was completed of all prescription and non-prescription medications, including herbal remedies that could affect drug therapy. This review includes, but is not limited to: • Effectiveness of drug therapy • Drug side effects • Actual or potential drug interactions • Duplicate drug therapy • Drug therapy currently associated with laboratory monitoring Patient 02: The medication profile includes camphor-menthol (Sarna) initiated on 9/3/24 with instructions “apply topically as needed for itching, it does not include a frequency of use or application site. The medication profile includes Risamine 0.44%-20.635% ointment initiated on 9/3/24, “apply topically as needed for skin irritation,” it does not include a frequency of use or application site. Patient 07: The medication profile includes “Adult Comfort Pak” which does not identify the items included and on site in the patients home. (Morphine, lorazepam, hyoscyamine, compazine, and Tylenol.) Patient 08: The medication profile includes “Adult Comfort Pak” which does not identify the items included and on site in the patients home. (Morphine, lorazepam, hyoscyamine, compazine, and Tylenol.) Patient 09: The medication profile includes polyethylene glycol 17G by mouth daily, it does not include a diluent. Patient 11: The medication profile includes “Adult Comfort Pak” which does not identify the items included and on site in the patients home. (Morphine, lorazepam, hyoscyamine, compazine, and Tylenol.)”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c))
The inspectors’ words, 150 words
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 26 (Patient #3) did not have evidence in the patient record that the hospice has developed an individualized written plan of care for each patient. The plan of care must reflect patient/family goals and interventions based on the problems identified in the initial, comprehensive, and updated comprehensive assessments. The plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions. Patient 03: The patient was admitted on 8/14/24 with a primary diagnosis of Acute myeloid leukemia, with a history of diabetes mellitus, type II and nutritional changes. The patient medication profile includes Lispro insulin injections (based on a sliding scale) and Humulin N 10 units 2 times a day before meals, the plan of care does not include a problem statement with interventions and goals for the management of the diabetes with the nutritional deficits.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
The inspectors’ words, 115 words
“Upon patient record review, 2 of 26 (Patient #2,9) did not have evidence the plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including medications and treatments. Patient 02: The medication order on 9/3/24 for camphor-menthol (Sarna) is instructed “apply topically as needed for itching, it does not include a frequency of use or application site. The medication order on 9/3/24 for Risamine 0.44%-20.635% ointment is instructed “apply topically as needed for skin irritation,” it does not include a frequency of use or application site. Patient 09: The medication order on 8/28/24 for Polyethylene glycol 17G by mouth daily does not include a diluent.”
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Review of the plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(d))
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 26 (Patient #10) did not have evidence that a revised plan of care includes information from the patient’s updated comprehensive assessment and must note the patient’s progress towards outcome/goals from the plan of care. Patient 10: The patient received physical therapy services with an end date of 8/9/24, the plan of care has not been updated to resolve the problem statement with interventions and goals for the physical therapy needs.”
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Coordination of services (42 CFR 418.56(e)(2))
“Upon client record review, 1 of 26 (Patient #6) did not have evidence that the IDG ensures that the care and services are provided in accordance with the plan of care. Patient 06: The visit frequency for the MSW is entered as 2 times per month, the record indicates there was 1 visit made in the month of August, with a documented missed visit on 8/23/24 with no indication for the missed visit.”
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Coordination of services (42 CFR 418.56(e)(3))
“Upon patient record review 1 of 26 (Patient #20) did not have evidence that the IDG ensures that the care and services provided are based on all assessments of the patient and family needs. Patient 20: The patient was admitted on 8/31/24, upon admit the patient/primary care giver accepted/requested volunteer services. There is no evidence in the patient record of an assessment performed by the volunteer coordinator.”
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Governing body and administrator (42 CFR 418.100(b))
“Upon personnel record review, 1 of 14 (Personnel #1) did not have evidence that the administrator is a hospice employee and possesses the education and experience required by the governing body. Personnel #1: The job requirements for the Administrator/Director role indicates that the role is to be filled with personnel who possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The personnel record indicates that the current Director possesses an Associates degree.”
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Label dispose storage drugs (42 CFR 418.106(e)(1))
“Upon client record review, 1 of 26 (Patient #3) did not have evidence that all drugs and biologicals are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional practice and include appropriate usage and cautionary instructions, as well as an expiration date, if applicable. Patient 03: During the home visit it was identified that the patient has two bottles of Diclofenac 75mg pills. One bottle was dated 11/19/21 with no expiration date, the other dated 6/28/22 with no expiration date.”
All 2 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2024 | Reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | 8 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 18, 2024 | Recertification inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Jan 12, 1995.
- Ownership: other.
- 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.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections 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): 15 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 12.7% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 96.6% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 75% at home, 2% in assisted living, 6% in a nursing facility, 1% in a skilled nursing facility, 10% in a hospital, 7% in an inpatient hospice.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 15.0 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 12.7% |
| Visits near death | 96.6% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Mountain States Health Alliance owns 100% directly since Jul 1, 2018.
- 13 owners or officers are people: Shane Hilton (corporate officer, 0%); Gregory Wilgocki (corporate director, 0%); Gregory Wilgocki (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Marvin Eichorn (corporate officer, 0%); Marvin Eichorn (corporate director, 0%); Buford Deaton (corporate officer, 0%); Buford Deaton (corporate director, 0%); Alan Levine (corporate officer, 0%); Alan Levine (corporate director, 0%); Keith R Cook (managing employee (on the payroll)); Julie Bennett (corporate officer, 0%); Julie Bennett (corporate director, 0%); Brandy Nicole Crossman (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%).
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballad Health | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Feb 1, 2018 |
| Mountain States Health Alliance | Owns 5% or more directly | 100% | Jul 1, 2018 |
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 85% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 85% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 9 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 99.92% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 30% 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 | 4 of 5 |
| 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 | 9 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 10 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 37620, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 4.5; this one had 8.
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 |
|---|---|
| Ballad Health Hospice This hospice | 8 |
| Beacon Hospice | 0 |
| Amedisys Hospice, An Adventa Company | 5 |
| Gentiva | 20 |
| Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice, I N C | 1 |
| Caris Healthcare | 4 |
| Ballad Health Hospice | 5 |
| Gentiva II | 11 |
| Caris Healthcare, LP (Abingdon) | 0 |
| Elite Hospice | 4 |
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.