EMBLEM HOSPICE TUCSON
Provider Information
- Address
- 1880 E. RIVER RD
TUCSON, AZ 85718 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 4, 2014
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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) | 6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
20
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 EMBLEM HOSPICE TUCSON reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how EMBLEM HOSPICE TUCSON compares to hospices nationwide.
14.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 69th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
31
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 day14.1 min
Ranks better than about 69% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life95.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits24.9%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care6%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 months38%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 hospice2%
Ranks better than about 37% 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$16,728 · 43rd 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 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 58.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life58.2%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease28%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Tucson
Emblem Hospice Tucson provides specialized end-of-life care for families in Pima County. Located at 1880 E. River Rd, they focus on comfort and dignity for patients during their final months. Their team helps manage pain and offers emotional support to everyone involved. Choosing the right hospice is a deeply personal decision. Families in Tucson often look for providers that balance clinical expertise with a gentle, human touch. Emblem Hospice serves the local community with a commitment to quality care. This provider has been certified by Medicare since February 2014. That is a decade of experience helping neighbors navigate complex health journeys. Their goal is to make sure patients feel heard, safe, and comfortable in their own homes or care settings. It really makes a difference when you have a team that knows the local area well.
About Emblem Hospice Tucson
Emblem Hospice Tucson operates as a for-profit provider. They have held their Medicare certification since 2014, showing a long-term presence in the Arizona healthcare landscape. For-profit status simply means they are organized as a business, but they must still meet strict federal standards to keep their certification. That is a big deal because it means they are regularly checked by government inspectors. Families should know that hospice is a benefit covered by Medicare Part A. This covers the care team, medications related to the illness, and needed medical supplies. What most people do not realize is that you can choose your provider. You are not stuck with the first one suggested to you. It helps to look at their ratings and how they communicate with you. Emblem Hospice has worked for years to build trust in the Tucson community by following these high care standards.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Tucson
Tucson has many hospice options, but not all are the same. When you live in a large area like Pima County, you have access to various teams. Some are large national groups, while others are local and smaller. The thing is, hospice is not just about end-of-life care. It is about living the best life possible for the time remaining. Most hospice care happens in the home, but it can also occur in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. A good hospice team will visit you regularly to check on medications and emotional needs. They should also provide a nurse on call 24 hours a day. That is crucial because symptoms can change quickly at night or on weekends. You want a team that responds fast and treats your loved one like family. Do not be afraid to ask how they handle after-hours calls in your specific part of town.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider feels overwhelming, but asking the right questions can clarify things. Here are a few things to bring up during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens. Response time is everything. Second, ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms like shortness of breath. You need to know their plan for keeping your loved one calm. Third, ask how they support the family members who are also struggling. Hospice is about the whole family, not just the patient. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Some teams have special training for certain illnesses. Take notes during these talks. You want to feel confident in the team you pick. Trust your gut feeling when you meet them. If something feels off, keep asking questions until you feel at ease.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, the memories and stories of your loved ones are more precious than ever. We help families record their life stories and wisdom to keep them safe for future generations to enjoy.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
DEPENDABLE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, LLC
AZORNA HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF TUCSON
TRADITIONS HEALTH
AMEDISYS HOSPICE
T M C HOSPICE AKA PEPPI'S HOUSE
AGAPE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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