FIRST CALL HOSPICE SOUTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 4993 GOLDEN FOOTHILL PARKWAY, SUITE 3
EL DORADO HILLS, CA 95762 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 16, 2022
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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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
8
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 SOUTH 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FIRST CALL HOSPICE SOUTH compares to hospices nationwide.
16.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 87th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
16
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 day16.9 min
Ranks better than about 87% 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 weekends10.7%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 life98%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 visits16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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)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$21,345 · 67th 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 76.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.3%
- 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.
- Dementia43%
- Stroke26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
First Call Hospice South
First Call Hospice South provides end of life care for families in El Dorado Hills, California. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency. This means they focus only on hospice services rather than offering other types of care. They have held Medicare certification since March 2022. The agency also carries accreditation from CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow high standards for patient safety and comfort. Choosing an accredited provider means a third party has checked their work. It provides an extra layer of confidence for your family during a difficult time. They are ready to help your loved ones with specialized care at home.
About First Call Hospice South
This agency operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being a for-profit entity means they report to shareholders and must meet specific financial and care standards. They have been certified by Medicare since 2022. The CHAP accreditation they hold is a big deal in the medical world. It shows they meet national standards that often go beyond basic state rules. CHAP surveyors visit the office to check how the team manages patient records and care plans. They look for proof that the agency follows safety rules every single day. Most families prefer agencies with this extra level of oversight. It helps ensure that the care team remains focused on the patient. You should look for this accreditation when you talk to any local care providers.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in El Dorado Hills?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort and dignity for patients near the end of life. Local agencies like this one provide a team approach to manage pain and symptoms. At this specific office, the team includes eight employees. This count covers three registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. These nurses visit patients to monitor their health and adjust treatment plans as needed. They coordinate with your own doctors to keep everyone on the same page. While they do not currently use volunteers, their clinical staff works to meet patient needs. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable in their own home. It allows families to spend more time together without worry. Ask them how their specific team handles night calls or emergency questions.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions when you interview a hospice team. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home if a crisis happens. You should also ask how they manage pain and if they have a doctor on call at all times. It is wise to ask about their experience with your loved one's specific illness. Finally, ask how they support family members with grief and emotional care. The answers will show you if the provider is a good fit for your values. Do not feel rushed to pick the first agency you find. Take time to get clear answers so you feel good about your choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life holds stories worth saving for future generations to cherish and remember.
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