National recognition reflects positive feedback from patients’ caregivers.
Big Bend Hospice, Inc.
Florida Hospice Initial Licensure 1983
Big Bend Hospice has been named a 2026 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recipient by MatrixCare, recognizing the organization’s commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients and families.
The Hospice CAHPS Honors program recognizes hospice organizations that achieve strong results on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Hospice Survey. The national survey allows caregivers to provide feedback about their experiences with hospice care, including communication, responsiveness, symptom management, emotional support, and more.
Hospice CAHPS Honors recipients must score above the MatrixCare national performance score on at least 17 of the 22 measures evaluated for the award.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the experiences of the caregivers who have trusted us to care for someone they love,” said Bill Wertman, CEO of Big Bend Hospice. “Their feedback speaks to the compassion, skill and dedication our team brings to patients and families each day.”
The CAHPS Hospice Survey provides insight into the experiences of caregivers following the death of a loved one who received hospice care. Survey results help hospice providers identify strengths and opportunities to improve the care and support they provide.
The Hospice CAHPS Honors program is a recognition program administered by MatrixCare and is separate from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) public reporting and Hospice CAHPS Star Rating. The award reflects the collective work of Big Bend Hospice’s interdisciplinary team, including nurses, physicians, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, counselors, volunteers and administrative and support staff. Together, the team addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients while helping families navigate the end-of-life journey.
“Hospice care requires an entire team working together with compassion and respect,” Wertman said. “We are grateful to every team member whose care contributed to this achievement and to the families who took the time to share their experiences. Their voices help us continue learning, improving and fulfilling our mission.”
As a community-based nonprofit organization, Big Bend Hospice does not refuse care to eligible patients because of an inability to pay. Its services focus on each patient’s comfort, dignity, choices and quality of life and include grief and bereavement support for families and members of the community.