UNIVERSAL HOSPICE GROUP
Provider Information
- Address
- 15720 VENTURA BLVD SUITE 208
ENCINO, CA 91436 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 13, 2017
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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 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
6
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 UNIVERSAL HOSPICE GROUP 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 That code may be out of date.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 UNIVERSAL HOSPICE GROUP compares to hospices nationwide.
11 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 35th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
17
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 min
Ranks better than about 35% 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 weekends18.5%
Ranks better than about 93% 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 life83.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 visits76.6%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care1.5%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 months35.4%
Ranks better than about 54% 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$23,859 · 78th 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 86.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment86.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed87.7%
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 Encino
Universal Hospice Group serves families in the Encino, California area from their office on Ventura Boulevard. They offer essential hospice services to patients facing a life-limiting illness. The goal is simple: keep your loved one comfortable and peaceful at home. This team works to manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. They have been a part of the Los Angeles County healthcare community for many years. It is a big decision to start hospice care. That is why having a team nearby in the 91436 area can make daily life feel much easier for everyone involved.
About Universal Hospice Group
Universal Hospice Group is a for-profit provider that first gained Medicare certification on March 13, 2017. Being Medicare-certified means they meet federal standards for the care they provide to patients. This is a very important detail. It ensures that the agency follows strict rules regarding safety and quality. When you choose an agency, you want to know they are held to a high bar. They operate out of their suite in Encino, making them a local resource for those in Los Angeles County. Families should know that ownership type does not change the basic requirement for compassion. What matters most is how they treat your loved one every single day. The team at Universal Hospice Group focuses on dignity and comfort above all else. They are ready to help you navigate these difficult choices with care and clear communication.
Top Tier Quality Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Encino
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different kind of care that focuses on comfort. In Encino, families have access to several hospice options, but quality can vary a lot. The thing is, hospice is meant to be a service that comes to where you live. This could be a private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The team typically includes a doctor, nurses, home health aides, and social workers. They work together to address physical pain and emotional stress. Many people wait too long to call for help. Don't make that mistake. The earlier you start, the more support your family gets during this transition. Good care helps everyone find a bit more peace during a very hard time. It is all about making the best of the time you have left together.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice agency can feel overwhelming. But you have the right to ask questions. Start by asking how quickly they can arrive if a crisis happens at night or on the weekend. You need to know that support is truly available 24/7. Ask what specific tasks their home health aides handle for patients. It is also smart to ask how they communicate with the family doctor. Will they keep the primary physician in the loop? Finally, ask how they help family members deal with grief after a loss. You deserve a team that supports the whole family, not just the patient. Write these questions down before you call. It helps to have a notepad ready so you can track the answers you get.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture those precious memories for your family to keep forever.
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