AZ SUNSET HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4045 EAST UNION HILLS DRIVE, SUITE #104
PHOENIX, AZ 85050 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 21, 2019
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
2
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what AZ SUNSET HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how AZ SUNSET HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
5.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 2nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
32
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day5.3 min
Ranks better than about 2% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends3.8%
Ranks better than about 7% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life55.2%
Ranks better than about 4% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits84%
Ranks better than about 10% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care2.5%
Ranks better than about 76% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months62%
Ranks better than about 6% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care6.3%
Ranks better than about 54% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$23,567 · 77th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening96.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed98.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.6%
- Visits in the last days of life8%
- All care steps completed94.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia31%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Other conditions30%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
AZ SUNSET HOSPICE in Phoenix
AZ SUNSET HOSPICE serves the Phoenix area from its office on East Union Hills Drive. This provider is a for-profit hospice agency that has been certified by Medicare since early 2019. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This group offers care for patients throughout Maricopa County who need end-of-life support. Being accredited shows that a third party checked their work against high standards. It is a sign of their commitment to meeting specific safety and clinical goals. Finding the right provider matters for your family. This agency operates as a freestanding hospice in a busy part of town. They work to bring comfort directly to patients in their own homes or care settings. Understanding their background helps you make a choice that fits your needs.
About AZ SUNSET HOSPICE
This agency operates as a for-profit business in Arizona. Since 2019, they have met the rules required to receive Medicare payments. Their CHAP accreditation is a badge of honor in the healthcare world. It means independent experts reviewed their paperwork and their patient care processes. They look at how the agency manages medicine, staff training, and safety. Most agencies seek this status to prove they go beyond basic legal requirements. The team at this office is small. Records show they have two total employees, consisting of one registered nurse and one licensed practical nurse. This means you will likely work with a very specific and close team. You should ask how they handle after-hours calls with such a compact staff. Getting clear answers about their daily routine helps you feel ready. Good communication is the foundation of any strong relationship with your hospice team.
Quality of Care Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in PHOENIX?
Hospice care in Phoenix focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The goal is to manage pain and help families spend meaningful time together. Every agency in the city must follow federal rules to keep their Medicare status. Local teams often include nurses, aides, and social workers who visit on a set schedule. At AZ SUNSET HOSPICE, the clinical staff includes one registered nurse and one licensed practical nurse. Because they do not have volunteers on staff, the nurses handle the primary care duties. This team structure is common for smaller, independent agencies. You should talk to them about how they cover emergencies during the night or on weekends. Some agencies partner with other local groups to ensure someone is always available. The desert climate and local traffic can affect travel times for home visits. Always ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home when a problem happens.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
- How will your small staff handle a sudden need for help at night?
- Can you explain how your CHAP accreditation improves the care my family receives?
- What specific steps do you take to manage pain and other symptoms at home?
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one each week?
Asking these questions helps you see how the agency works in real life. Pay attention to how quickly they answer your concerns. A good provider will be happy to explain their processes in simple terms. They should never rush you when you are trying to make a big decision. Write down your answers so you can compare a few options. It is fine to take your time to find the right fit. Your comfort is the main priority throughout this entire process.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Your family history is a gift that should be saved for the generations to come. Start recording your stories today.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.