VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 16830 VENTURA BLVD SUITE 315
ENCINO, CA 91436 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 6, 1995
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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) | 21 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 21 |
| Physicians | 1 |
107
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 VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA 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 That code may be out of date.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 VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA compares to hospices nationwide.
20.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
186
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 day20.5 min
Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends12%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 visits56.4%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 care20.1%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 months32.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care9.4%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 hospice4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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)97th 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$16,366 · 41st 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 63.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life63.8%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke22%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITAS Healthcare in Encino
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California serves families in the Encino area from their office on Ventura Boulevard. They provide hospice care designed to support patients and their loved ones during a difficult time. The team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing the right care is a heavy task. It helps to know that professional support is nearby in Los Angeles County. This team is ready to help manage symptoms and offer emotional guidance when it matters most. They aim to bring peace to your home or a care facility. It is all about making each day count. That is their main goal.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California
This hospice provider has been Medicare-certified since June 6, 1995. That is nearly thirty years of service. They operate as a for-profit organization. What does that mean for your family? It means they follow strict federal guidelines set by Medicare to keep their license. You should know that their longevity shows they have deep roots in the community. They have been doing this work for a long time. They clearly understand the local healthcare landscape in Encino. When you look for a partner, history counts. Their long tenure suggests they have seen many changes in the industry and adapted to them. You are looking for stability. This provider offers that through decades of continuous operation under federal oversight.
Quality Performance Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in Encino
Los Angeles County has many hospice options. The thing is, not every provider is the same. Some focus on large-scale medical systems. Others provide a more boutique approach to care. In a busy city like Encino, your choice of provider affects how quickly they can reach your home. Traffic is a real factor here. You want a team that knows the local roads and can respond to your needs without delay. Hospice is not just about medicine. It is about being present. It is about showing up when you need them most. Always check if a provider serves your specific zip code. You deserve a team that can get to you fast. Reliability is the key to peace of mind.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask hard questions. Start by asking how they handle pain management at night. Can a nurse come to your home after hours? That is vital. Ask about their volunteer program. Volunteers can offer companionship that medical staff might not have time for. Another big one is their staff turnover. Do the same people visit every week? Consistency helps build trust. Finally, ask how they handle emergency calls on weekends. You need to know that someone will answer the phone. Do not settle for vague answers. You are building a team for your loved one. Take your time to get it right. You are doing a good job.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories, lessons, and stories that deserve to be saved. We provide a simple way to capture these precious moments for future generations to cherish.
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