BELLA TERRA HOSPICE OF THE DESERT
Provider Information
- Address
- 75410 GERALD FORD DRIVE
PALM DESERT, CA 92211 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 13, 2015
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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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
15
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 BELLA TERRA HOSPICE OF THE DESERT 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 BELLA TERRA HOSPICE OF THE DESERT compares to hospices nationwide.
12.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 54th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
36
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 day12.6 min
Ranks better than about 54% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 life91.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 visits30.8%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care17.2%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 months27.6%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 care17.2%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 hospice3.4%
Ranks better than about 21% 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$18,007 · 50th 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 39.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.1%
- Pain assessment97.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life39.8%
- All care steps completed96.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease33%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Bella Terra Hospice of the Desert
Bella Terra Hospice of the Desert serves families in Palm Desert, California. This freestanding hospice provider offers care designed for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. They have been certified by Medicare since July 2015. The team holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This status shows that an outside group checked their work against high standards. It is a sign of their commitment to patient safety. The provider operates in Riverside County to reach those in need of end-of-life support. Their goal is to provide comfort and care during a difficult time. They focus on meeting the needs of every patient they serve. Families can feel confident knowing the provider meets strict federal rules. This helps ensure that the care provided is consistent and reliable for every person in their care.
Provider Details
This hospice operates as a for-profit organization. It is a freestanding facility. This means they focus only on hospice care rather than being part of a larger hospital system. The ACHC accreditation is a key detail for families to review. This group sends experts to look at how a hospice manages medicine and patient records. They also check how the staff communicates with family members. When a hospice earns this mark, it means they follow best practices for quality. The team includes 15 employees. This group features four registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also work with three volunteers who provide extra support to patients. These staff members work together to manage pain and symptoms for patients in their own homes or care facilities. Understanding these details helps families know who will walk alongside them during this stage of life.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Palm Desert?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team works to improve the quality of each day for the patient. You can expect regular visits from the medical team. This includes nurses who oversee pain management and symptom control. They visit patients at home to offer support. The staff at Bella Terra Hospice of the Desert includes 15 team members. This includes four registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have three volunteers who help with companionship. Social workers and chaplains often join the team to help with emotional needs. Care happens where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a nursing facility in the desert region. The team works closely with the patient's own doctor to create a plan that fits their specific wishes. It is all about dignity.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should have a clear talk with any hospice team before starting services. Use these questions to get the information you need. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Second, ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms for their patients. It is also good to ask about the role of their volunteers in daily care. Finally, ask how they keep family members updated on changes in the patient's condition. You need to know how they handle emergencies. Ask about their weekend and holiday availability. Make sure you understand their process for providing equipment like hospital beds or oxygen. These answers will help you decide if the provider is a good fit for your family. A good hospice will answer these questions with patience and care.
Keep Your Family Stories Safe
This time of life is often when we think about the people who shaped us. Preserving your family history is a gift that lasts for generations.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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