VNACARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 16147 KAMANA ROAD
APPLE VALLEY, CA 92307 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 13, 1997
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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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
17
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 VNACARE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VNACARE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
49
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends8.1%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 life93.9%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 visits32.4%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 months43.2%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care22.7%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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$25,168 · 82nd 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 69.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life69.6%
- All care steps completed98.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease29%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VNACARE in Apple Valley
VNACARE serves the Apple Valley area from their office on Kamana Road. This provider offers hospice support to local families in San Bernardino County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1997. This long history shows their commitment to serving the region for many years. The organization holds accreditation through CHAP. This group reviews hospice programs to ensure they meet high standards for safety and care. You can expect a team that follows strict rules designed to protect your loved one. Hospice care provides comfort and support when a cure is no longer the main goal. It focuses on physical relief and emotional peace for everyone involved. Choosing a local provider helps keep care close to home. That is a benefit for many families who want to stay near their support network during a hard time.
About VNACARE
VNACARE operates as a non-profit organization. This structure means they focus on their mission rather than profit. Their status as a non-profit often guides how they use their resources to help people. They carry accreditation from CHAP. This independent group sets national standards for health care quality. They visit providers to check that care plans follow best practices. This ensures that the hospice team meets the needs of patients in a safe way. Families should know that non-profit providers often put extra money back into their programs. This can lead to better resources for the people they serve. You might wonder if this makes a difference. It often does because the focus stays on the patient. The team at this location works to meet the needs of those facing a serious illness. They provide medical care and guidance to help families manage daily life with more ease and less worry.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in APPLE VALLEY?
Hospice care in San Bernardino County centers on comfort and dignity. The team works to manage pain and symptoms at home or in a facility. At VNACARE, the staff includes five registered nurses and five licensed practical nurses. They also have one volunteer to help provide extra companionship. This team size allows for focused attention on each patient. Nurses handle the medical needs while volunteers can offer a friendly visit. The goal is to keep the person comfortable in their own space. Most care happens where the patient lives. It involves regular visits to check on symptoms and adjust the plan of care. The team talks with the family often to keep everyone informed. This coordination helps reduce stress for caregivers. You will have a clear plan that addresses physical needs and emotional support. They work to make sure every day counts for the patient and their loved ones.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you make a final choice. Ask these questions to learn how a provider works. First, ask how quickly a nurse can come to the home if a problem starts at night. Second, ask how they manage pain and other symptoms to keep the patient calm. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. It is also good to ask how they handle changes in the patient's condition. You want to know that they can adapt the care plan as needs change. A good hospice team will answer these questions clearly and with patience. They should welcome your questions because they want you to feel secure. Take your time to get the answers you need. Your peace of mind matters just as much as the medical care your loved one receives from the team.
Keep Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a unique story that deserves to be remembered. We provide a simple way to record memories and preserve family history for the future.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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