ANCHOR HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 5675 RUFFIN RD.
SAN DIEGO, CA 92123 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 18, 2021
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
1
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 ANCHOR HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ANCHOR HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 80th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
65
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 day15.7 min
Ranks better than about 80% 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 weekends8.4%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 life91.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits49.1%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care10.3%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 months35.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 care7.4%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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$21,804 · 70th 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 54.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life54.1%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia40%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Anchor Hospice & Palliative Care
Anchor Hospice & Palliative Care serves families in the San Diego area from its office on Ruffin Road. This provider offers end of life support services as a freestanding hospice agency. They have held Medicare certification since early 2021. The agency maintains accreditation through CHAP, which is a group that checks if a hospice meets high national standards for safety and care. They focus on providing support for patients and families during difficult times. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay connected to their community resources. This agency is a for-profit organization serving patients across San Diego County. Their mission centers on meeting the needs of those under their care. It is a simple goal, but it guides their daily work. They aim to provide consistent support for every patient they serve.
About ANCHOR HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
This agency operates as a for-profit business. They have been certified by Medicare since January 2021. Accreditation is a sign that an outside group has looked at how the hospice runs its business. CHAP accreditation means the agency meets strict rules for how they treat patients and manage their records. This is a good way to verify that a provider follows set health protocols. The team is small, consisting of one registered nurse. They do not currently employ licensed practical nurses or volunteers. Families should know that a smaller team can sometimes mean more personal attention. You should talk with the agency to learn how they manage patient visits with their current staff size. They are prepared to answer questions about their care model. Understanding their team structure helps you plan for your loved one's specific needs during this time.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SAN DIEGO?
Hospice care in San Diego provides medical support for people with life limiting illnesses. The focus stays on keeping the patient comfortable at home or in a facility. Teams work to manage pain and other symptoms so the patient can enjoy their final months. At Anchor Hospice & Palliative Care, the staff includes one registered nurse. This professional handles the medical needs and coordinates with the patient's doctor. Because they are a freestanding agency, they manage their own operations in the local area. This allows them to focus on the specific needs of patients in San Diego County. They bring the care directly to the person. Most families find that having a dedicated nurse makes a big difference in the quality of daily life. It provides peace of mind for everyone involved. They are there to help with physical and emotional needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more confident in your choice. You should start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. Ask who will be the main person you talk to when you have questions about care. You might also ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health condition. Another good question is how they work with your current family doctor. Do they keep the doctor updated on changes? These answers will show you how they handle communication. You want a team that listens to your concerns and responds fast. Keep these things in mind as you talk with different providers. Good communication is the foundation of excellent hospice care for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of stories and wisdom. Recording these memories is a beautiful gift for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
LIGHTBRIDGE HOSPICE
SHARP HOSPICECARE
BRIDGE HOSPICE
GENTIVA
MISSION HOSPICE SERVICES OF SAN DIEGO LLC
BRISTOL HOSPICE - SAN DIEGO
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.