HOSPICE OF THE FOOTHILLS
Provider Information
- Address
- 11270 ROUGH AND READY HIGHWAY
GRASS VALLEY, CA 95945 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 3, 1994
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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) | 16 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
60
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 HOSPICE OF THE FOOTHILLS 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF THE FOOTHILLS compares to hospices nationwide.
14 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 68th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
69
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 day14 min
Ranks better than about 68% 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 weekends7.2%
Ranks better than about 41% 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%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 visits52.6%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 care11%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 months30.5%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 care1.2%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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$13,971 · 28th 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 60.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.8%
- Pain assessment93.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life60.9%
- All care steps completed91.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer36%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke14%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the Foothills
Hospice of the Foothills serves families in Grass Valley, California, and surrounding Nevada County. They offer end-of-life care focused on comfort and support for patients at home. The provider holds a current accreditation from the Joint Commission. This ensures they meet high standards for safety and medical care. Families gain access to a dedicated team at their 11270 Rough and Ready Highway location. Their mission centers on providing care when it is needed most. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay close to their support systems. This hospice has served the community since 1994. They bring decades of experience to the families they help each day.
About Hospice of the Foothills
Hospice of the Foothills operates as a freestanding hospice. They have been certified by Medicare since the summer of 1994. Their accreditation from the Joint Commission acts as a stamp of approval from an outside group. These experts visit the office to check that staff follow strict safety rules. They look at how the team manages pain and how they talk to families. Accreditation matters because it proves a commitment to quality beyond just following basic laws. The team includes 60 employees. This includes 16 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who provide direct care. Having a large team often means they can respond quickly to changing needs. Families should know that this provider maintains strong standards of practice. They focus on clear communication and careful symptom management for every patient they serve.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Grass Valley?
Hospice care in this area focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits to check on symptoms and offer emotional support. Because Hospice of the Foothills is a local provider, their staff knows the Grass Valley region well. They coordinate care with local doctors to ensure every patient gets the right medicine at the right time. The team is made up of 60 people who work together to support the patient and family. This group includes 16 registered nurses. Nurses handle the medical side of things like pain control and daily comfort. They also bring in other experts to help with social or spiritual needs. It is a team approach. Everyone works to make sure the patient stays as comfortable as possible while spending time with their loved ones.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit is a big step for your family. Start by asking how the team handles pain management during the night or on weekends. You want to know that someone is available whenever a crisis happens. Ask how often a nurse will visit your home for checkups. It is also wise to ask how they help family members cope with the stress of caregiving. You should feel comfortable with their answers. Do not be afraid to ask for specific examples of how they support families. Ask them how they manage transitions if a patient needs a higher level of care. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions clearly. They should make you feel heard and respected throughout the entire process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time spent with loved ones is precious. Capture your family history and favorite memories to share with future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning today.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.