WESTERN HORIZON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 23441 S POINT DR
LAGUNA HILLS, CA 92653 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 15, 2018
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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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
11
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 WESTERN HORIZON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, INC 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how WESTERN HORIZON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
9.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 17th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
24
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 day9.2 min
Ranks better than about 17% 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 weekends10.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits90.6%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 months52.9%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 46% 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%
Ranks better than about 37% 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$25,341 · 83rd 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 10% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment63.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life10%
- All care steps completed83.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia46%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Western Horizon Hospice and Palliative Care
Western Horizon Hospice and Palliative Care serves patients in Laguna Hills, California. This provider offers hospice and palliative services to those who need support. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This shows their dedication to meeting high standards. The team works to provide comfort during difficult times. They aim to help your family manage symptoms with care. Getting the right support is a priority for their staff. They focus on the needs of each patient. Choosing a local provider often makes coordination much easier for everyone involved. This team is ready to assist you in the Orange County area.
About Western Horizon Hospice and Palliative Care
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2018. Accreditation from the ACHC means they follow strict rules for safety and care. These agencies check that providers follow national standards. They look at how the staff treats patients and their families. This matters because it gives you peace of mind. You know they follow clear rules for health and safety. The agency is a freestanding hospice. That means they focus only on hospice care. They do not share resources with a larger hospital. Their team includes 11 employees. This includes four registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. One volunteer also assists the team. They keep their focus on specific care needs. Every person plays a role in the care plan. You should ask how they handle after-hours calls. Understanding their structure helps you plan for the future.
What Is Hospice Care Like in Laguna Hills?
Hospice care in Laguna Hills focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It happens wherever the patient calls home. This could be a private house or a care facility. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms effectively. Families often find this support helps them enjoy more time together. The hospice team visits the patient on a regular schedule. They work with the family to create a plan that fits daily life. This team is staffed with four registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. These professionals handle medical needs. They also teach family members how to help their loved ones. A volunteer is also available to offer extra support. This group approach covers physical, emotional, and social needs. Care is available 24 hours a day if an emergency happens. You will have a clear point of contact for any questions. They make sure you know who to call.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking how they handle pain management during the night. You need to know if a nurse is available by phone at all times. Ask how many patients each nurse sees in a day. A smaller caseload often means more time for your specific needs. Ask how they support family members with grief. Many programs offer counseling for a year after the loss. You should also ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Some providers have extra training for certain health conditions. It is okay to ask for a meeting with the team leader. See if their style matches what your family wants. Good communication is the key to a positive experience. Take your time to get clear answers to your questions.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories and memories worth keeping for future generations. We provide tools to help you capture these moments easily.
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