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 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) | 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 That code may be out of date.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 83.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.0%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment83.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed85.5%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Universal Hospice Group
Universal Hospice Group serves families in Encino, California. This provider offers end of life support and comfort services. They have been certified by Medicare since March of 2017. Their team works to provide care that meets high standards for patients in Los Angeles County. The organization holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means they invite outside experts to check their work regularly. These experts look at safety and quality to make sure the care stays strong. It is a sign of a provider that cares about quality. You can find them on Ventura Boulevard in the heart of Encino. They operate as a for-profit group. Choosing a hospice is a serious step for any family. Knowing they meet these standards helps you focus on your loved one. Their office is easy to reach for those living in the local area.
Understanding Quality of Care
Universal Hospice Group operates as a for-profit provider in California. They have kept their Medicare certification for several years. The Joint Commission accreditation is a big part of their profile. This group reviews health organizations to ensure they follow strict safety rules. They check everything from patient records to how staff members handle emergencies. Most families want to know their chosen provider follows these best practices. It shows that the team follows rules meant to protect patients. This provider currently holds the highest possible marks in the CMS Hospice Care Index. These scores look at how well a provider manages patient needs. They also track how often patients get the right care at the right time. High marks in these areas show a commitment to quality. You can feel confident knowing their clinical performance is rated at the top level by federal standards.
Top Quality Standing
What Is Hospice Care Like in Encino?
Hospice care in Encino focuses on comfort and dignity for patients near the end of life. The care is provided by a small, dedicated team. This specific provider has a team of six employees. This group includes one registered nurse and one licensed practical nurse. They also have one physician and one volunteer on the staff. These professionals work together to manage pain and provide emotional support. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable in their own home or a care facility. Because the team is small, you may get more personal attention from the staff members. They coordinate with your family to create a plan that fits your needs. Hospice care is not about giving up. It is about making sure the remaining time is as peaceful as possible. The team in Encino is ready to help you manage these daily needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice provider is a personal choice for your family. You should ask questions that help you understand how they work. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. You should also ask how they manage pain and other symptoms. Ask if the team is available on weekends and holidays. It is also good to ask how they support family members with grief. Do they offer regular visits from the whole team? You deserve to know who will be in your home and how they will help. Write down the answers you get from each provider you talk to. Comparing these notes will help you see which team fits your values. Take your time to get the right information before you decide. Your peace of mind depends on finding the right match for your loved one.
Keep Family Memories Alive
During this time, your family history is more important than ever. Start a simple way to save stories and photos for future generations.
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