SMART CHOICE HOSPICE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 20945 DEVONSHIRE ST. SUITE 103
CHATSWORTH, CA 91311 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 9, 2020
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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 | 1 |
5
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 SMART CHOICE HOSPICE, INC 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SMART CHOICE HOSPICE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 16th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
8
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 day9 min
Ranks better than about 16% 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 weekends20%
Ranks better than about 95% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits64.5%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months58.6%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)74th 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$18,111 · 51st 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 5 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 100% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Heart and circulatory disease53%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
SMART CHOICE HOSPICE, INC
SMART CHOICE HOSPICE, INC serves patients and their families in Chatsworth, California. They offer end of life care to help comfort those with serious illness. The agency holds accreditation from CHAP. That means they meet high national standards for safety and quality. They have provided these services since June 2020. They are a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus only on hospice care. It is a big decision to pick a provider. We want to make that process easier for your family. They are here to help you through this time.
About SMART CHOICE HOSPICE, INC
This agency is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare since 2020. The CHAP accreditation is a special badge of honor. It shows that an outside group checked their work. They looked at how the team manages patient care. That is a big deal for your peace of mind. The team is small but focused. They have one registered nurse and one licensed practical nurse on staff. They also work with one volunteer to support patients. This small team size can mean more personal attention. You should know that they meet federal rules for care. Families often feel better knowing an agency has passed these tests. It shows they care about the rules. And they care about the people they serve.
Understanding Hospice Care in CHATSWORTH
Finding the right care in Los Angeles County can feel like a chore. But you have options. Most hospice teams come to your home. They bring the care to you. The team usually includes a doctor, nurses, and aides. In this case, the team has five employees total. They work together to manage symptoms. They also help with emotional needs. What most people do not realize is that hospice is about living well. It is not just about the final days. It is about comfort and dignity right now. The team helps you understand what to expect next. They answer your questions. They listen to your worries. Having a small, tight group can make communication much easier for you. You will know exactly who is coming to your door. That helps build trust during a hard season.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a provider can feel scary. But you are the boss. You should ask questions that matter to your family. First, ask how quickly they can start care after a referral. You need to know if they have staff available on weekends. Ask who will be the main nurse for your loved one. It is good to know who you will call at night. Ask how they handle pain management. You want to know they have a plan for emergencies. Finally, ask how they support the family after the patient passes. A good hospice team stays by your side. They help with grief and loss. Do not be afraid to ask these things. You are doing the right thing by checking. Good care makes a huge difference. Take your time to get the answers you need.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories to share. We can help you gather their stories and preserve them for your future generations.
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