FIRST CALL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 6929 SUNRISE BLVD, SUITE 180
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA 95610 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 14, 1998
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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 August 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) | 14 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 6 |
| Volunteers | 12 |
47
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 FIRST CALL HOSPICE 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 That code may be out of date.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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FIRST CALL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
17.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 90th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
100
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 day17.9 min
Ranks better than about 90% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 life95.4%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits15.8%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 care1.2%
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 months54.9%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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$29,390 · 90th 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 44.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life44.4%
- All care steps completed98.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease4%
- Stroke30%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
First Call Hospice
First Call Hospice serves the Citrus Heights area from their office on Sunrise Boulevard. They provide hospice care to patients throughout Sacramento County. This provider has been certified by Medicare since the summer of 1998. They operate as a for-profit hospice agency. Their team works to support patients and their loved ones during end of life care. Many local families rely on their services when they need professional medical support at home. The agency maintains a staff of 47 people to manage these needs daily. This includes 14 registered nurses and 6 licensed practical nurses who provide direct care. They also involve 12 volunteers to help with patient visits. That is a clear sign of their commitment to care. You can reach their office directly at (916) 725-2580 to learn more about how they support the Citrus Heights community.
About First Call Hospice
First Call Hospice is a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus solely on hospice services rather than operating as part of a larger hospital system. They have maintained their Medicare certification for over two decades. Medicare certification shows that a provider meets federal standards for safety and care. You should know that their ownership status is for-profit. Some families prefer to ask about what this means for their daily operations. For-profit agencies often have specific structures for how they manage resources and staff. This agency carries strong quality of care marks based on the CMS Hospice Care Index. They also hold high marks from patient satisfaction surveys. These results come from feedback provided by families who used their services previously. When you interview them, ask how they use this feedback to improve their daily work. It helps to understand their focus on patient experience.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in CITRUS HEIGHTS?
Hospice care in Sacramento County aims to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. The goal is to focus on quality of life instead of curative treatments. A hospice team usually includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and aides. At First Call Hospice, the clinical team includes 14 registered nurses and 6 licensed practical nurses. This staffing level allows for regular check-ins and quick responses to changes in a patient's health. But the care goes beyond medical tasks. Volunteers also play a big part by offering companionship or help with small errands. The team works together to create a plan that fits the needs of each person. Most residents find that having this support nearby makes a difficult time easier to manage. You should feel free to ask how their local team coordinates care for families living in Citrus Heights.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice agency is a big decision for any family. You deserve to have your questions answered clearly and honestly. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the home. You should also ask who to call when you have questions late at night or on weekends. It is good to know how they handle emergency needs. Ask them to explain how they help with pain management and symptom control. You might also ask if they have experience with specific health conditions that affect your loved one. Check if they provide support for family members who are grieving. Finally, ask for examples of how their team communicates with your regular doctor. Clear communication prevents confusion during care. Take your time to get the right answers before you decide on a partner for your family.
Preserving Family Memories
Your family history is a treasure. We offer simple tools to record stories and memories so they are never lost. Start creating your digital legacy today.
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