LAKE FOREST HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 22772 CENTRE DRIVE, SUITE 200
LAKE FOREST, CA 92630 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 6, 2020
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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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
5
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 LAKE FOREST HOSPICE 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 LAKE FOREST HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 74th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
18
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 day14.8 min
Ranks better than about 74% 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 weekends11.2%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 life99%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 visits66.7%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months42%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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)67th 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$19,993 · 61st 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 39.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life39.3%
- All care steps completed91.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia46%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Lake Forest Hospice
Lake Forest Hospice serves families across the Lake Forest, California area. This freestanding hospice provider offers care designed to support patients and their loved ones. They earned Medicare certification in early 2020. The team holds accreditation from CHAP, which shows they meet high standards for safety and patient care. Accreditation means an outside group checked their work to ensure they follow national rules. This helps you know they focus on quality every day. They operate from their office on Centre Drive in Orange County. Choosing the right support for a loved one is a major step. Having a local team can make a difference during this time. This provider brings professional care to those in need within their own community.
About Lake Forest Hospice
This is a for-profit hospice agency. They have been Medicare certified since February 2020. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on end-of-life care rather than being part of a large hospital system. The CHAP accreditation they hold is a rigorous process. It requires the agency to prove they meet strict quality measures for every patient they see. Families should look for this stamp of approval when they pick a provider. It shows the agency wants to be held to a high bar. They currently employ a team of five professionals to handle patient needs. This includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Having nurses on staff is the core of their service model. They do not use volunteers at this time. Their structure is lean and focused on direct clinical care for the people they serve in Orange County.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Lake Forest?
Hospice care in Lake Forest focuses on comfort and dignity for patients with serious illnesses. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms while helping families spend quality time together. Most care happens where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. The team at this agency includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. These professionals visit to check on the patient and adjust treatment plans as needed. They coordinate with doctors to keep everyone on the same page. It is a team effort. The nurses handle the medical side of things while providing emotional support to the family. They work to make sure the patient stays comfortable and calm. You can expect regular visits to monitor changes. The team stays in touch with you throughout the process to answer any questions that come up.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice agency is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to get the information you need. Start by asking how quickly they can start services after a referral. Time matters when a patient is in pain. Ask how they handle emergencies during the night or on weekends. You need to know that help is available when the office is closed. Ask about the specific roles of the nurses who will visit the home. Find out how they talk to your regular doctor to keep care consistent. Ask them to explain their plan for managing pain and other symptoms. You can also ask about their experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. A good agency will answer these questions clearly and with patience. Never feel rushed during these talks.
Keep Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. Capture their life story and preserve their voice for future generations to cherish.
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