Hospice care in Tennessee is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health under the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities, with provider rules codified in TCA Title 68 and operating standards in Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health Chapter 1200-08-30. Medicare-certified hospice agencies bill the Medicare Hospice Benefit under 42 CFR Part 418, which defines the four levels of care: routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care, and respite care. Accreditation bodies recognized by CMS for hospice deeming authority include the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), and The Joint Commission. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), now operating under the National Alliance for Care at Home, publishes practice standards and an annual provider profile. The three Nashville agencies below each list Medicare certification, a verifiable Davidson County office, and recognized accreditation or membership.
Quick Comparison #
| Agency | Status | Years Medicare Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Alive Hospice | Nonprofit, Joint Commission Gold Seal | Since 1984 |
| Caris Healthcare | For-profit, NHPCO-listed provider | Multi-state operator |
| Avalon Hospice | Medicare-certified hospice agency | Nashville office on Charlotte Pike |
1. Alive Hospice #
Alive Hospice was chartered in 1975 as the first hospice serving Middle Tennessee and is the only nonprofit hospice headquartered in the Nashville region. The agency has been certified to participate in Medicare since April 10, 1984. Alive Hospice holds The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval and operates inpatient hospice residences in addition to in-home care across Davidson and surrounding counties.
Service Scope #
The agency delivers all four Medicare hospice levels of care: routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care at its dedicated hospice residence, and respite care. Program lines include adult hospice, pediatric hospice, palliative care consultation, and bereavement services through the Alive Grief Center for both clients and the wider community.
Operating Model #
Interdisciplinary teams include physicians, registered nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, structured per 42 CFR Part 418 requirements. The nonprofit status allows the agency to extend financial support and community education beyond the standard Medicare Hospice Benefit reimbursement.
Alive Hospice
1718 Patterson Street
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 327-1085
2. Caris Healthcare #
Caris Healthcare is a multi-state hospice operator headquartered in Tennessee with a Nashville Area Office serving Davidson and adjoining counties. The agency is Medicare certified and listed in the NHPCO provider directory under the National Alliance for Care at Home. Clinical care is led by an interdisciplinary team aligned to 42 CFR Part 418 federal hospice conditions of participation.
Service Scope #
The agency offers routine home hospice care, continuous home care for symptom crises, general inpatient care through contracted facilities, and inpatient respite care for caregiver relief. Disease-specific care paths support end-stage cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic, and oncologic conditions, with bereavement follow-up extending 13 months after a patient’s death per Medicare hospice rule.
Operating Model #
Caris uses a regional management structure with a Nashville office staffing local nursing, social work, chaplaincy, and bereavement teams. The agency participates in NHPCO standards and reports outcomes through the CMS Hospice Quality Reporting Program required of all Medicare-certified hospice providers.
Caris Healthcare Nashville Area Office
2525 Perimeter Place Drive, Suite 129
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 366-9952
https://www.carishealthcare.com/
3. Avalon Hospice #
Avalon Hospice operates a Medicare-certified hospice office on Charlotte Pike in West Nashville and serves Davidson, Williamson, and surrounding counties. The agency provides home-based hospice care under the Medicare Hospice Benefit and coordinates inpatient symptom management through contracted facilities.
Service Scope #
Avalon delivers the four Medicare hospice levels of care, with primary delivery in the patient’s residence or long-term care setting. Disease management paths include end-stage heart failure, COPD, dementia, advanced cancer, ALS, and end-stage renal disease. Spiritual care, social work, hospice aide visits, and bereavement support are included in the Medicare Hospice Benefit at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible patients.
Operating Model #
Care plans are developed by an interdisciplinary group meeting on the schedule required by 42 CFR Part 418, with the attending physician and hospice medical director jointly certifying terminal prognosis. Patients can elect or revoke the Medicare hospice benefit at any time per CMS rule.
Avalon Hospice
7135 Charlotte Pike, Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 889-5995
https://www.avalonhospice.com/
Selection Methodology #
Each agency was reviewed against four criteria. First, the provider must hold active Medicare certification verifiable through Medicare Care Compare. Second, the agency must operate under a current Tennessee Department of Health hospice license issued under Rules Chapter 1200-08-30. Third, the agency must operate within Davidson County or directly adjacent counties with a publicly listed office address. Fourth, the provider must hold CMS-recognized accreditation (CHAP, ACHC, or The Joint Commission) or membership in the National Alliance for Care at Home, formerly NHPCO.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What are the four levels of Medicare hospice care?
Routine home care delivers regular visits in the patient’s residence. Continuous home care provides extended nursing during a medical crisis. General inpatient care manages acute symptoms in a contracted hospital or hospice inpatient unit. Inpatient respite care offers up to five days in a facility to give caregivers a break. All four levels are defined under 42 CFR Part 418.
Which accreditation bodies have CMS deeming authority for hospice?
CMS recognizes the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), and The Joint Commission as deeming authorities for hospice. A hospice accredited by a deeming body is treated as meeting Medicare conditions of participation.
How is a hospice provider licensed in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Department of Health Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities licenses hospice agencies under Rules Chapter 1200-08-30. The agency must also be Medicare certified to bill the federal hospice benefit, which is the primary payer for most hospice patients.
Who pays for hospice care?
The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers all hospice services related to the terminal illness at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. TennCare and most commercial insurance plans also cover hospice services consistent with Medicare standards.
Editorial Note #
This guide was published on 2026-05-11 and reflects research current as of that date. Verify licenses, phone numbers, and current business status before engaging any firm.