AMERICAN RIVER HOSPICE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 1451 RIVER PARK DR., SUITE 230
SACRAMENTO, CA 95815 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 20, 2019
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
30
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 AMERICAN RIVER HOSPICE SERVICES 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how AMERICAN RIVER HOSPICE SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
17 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 87th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
106
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 day17 min
Ranks better than about 87% 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 weekends11.7%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 life95.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits27%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care7.1%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 months29.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 care4.8%
Ranks better than about 63% 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%
Ranks better than about 25% 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$18,351 · 52nd 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 39.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.3%
- Pain assessment97.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life39.2%
- All care steps completed95.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About American River Hospice Services
American River Hospice Services is located in Sacramento, California. They offer support for patients and their families near the end of life. Their team works to keep patients comfortable and pain-free. They focus on quality of life for everyone they serve. The staff provides care in homes or other living settings. They help families manage difficult symptoms with care and kindness. Their office is at 1451 River Park Drive, Suite 230. You can reach them at (916) 242-4600 to learn more about their services. Choosing the right hospice is a very important step for your family. This team is ready to help you navigate this transition with compassion and professional support.
About American River Hospice Services
American River Hospice Services has been Medicare certified since June 20, 2019. It operates as a for-profit hospice provider in Sacramento County. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal standards for patient care. Families should know that hospice care is a team effort. This provider uses nurses, doctors, and aides to support your needs. They focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the patient. Being a for-profit provider does not change their commitment to high quality care. They must follow the same rules as non-profit groups to keep their certification. You can feel confident in their history of service in the Sacramento area. They remain dedicated to providing comfort during a challenging time for your loved ones.
Quality Ratings Overview
Understanding Hospice Care in Sacramento
Sacramento offers many options for hospice care to support local families. Hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about making the most of the time you have left. Care teams come to you, whether you live at home or in a facility. They bring medicine, supplies, and equipment right to your door. This helps patients stay in a place that feels familiar and safe. The goal is to reduce stress for both the patient and the family. Most hospice care is covered by Medicare for those who qualify. You can choose the provider that feels right for your specific needs. It is helpful to meet with a few teams before you decide. Take your time to ask questions and find a partner you trust.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It can feel hard to know what to ask when you call a hospice. Here are some simple questions to help you get started:
- How quickly can your team come to our home if we have an emergency?
- What specific staff members will visit us, and how often will they come?
- How do you help families manage pain or other difficult symptoms at night?
- Can you explain how your team supports the emotional needs of our family?
Asking these questions helps you understand how they work. You want a team that communicates clearly and listens to your concerns. Do not be afraid to ask for more details on anything you do not understand. The right provider will be happy to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is precious for your family. We help you save memories and stories to share with future generations. Preserve your history today.
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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