ART OF HOSPICE CARE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 7710 BALBOA AVENUE, SUITE 329
SAN DIEGO, CA 92111 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 1, 2015
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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
13
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 ART OF HOSPICE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 ART OF HOSPICE CARE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
21.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 97th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
32
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day21.6 min
Ranks better than about 97% 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 weekends6.6%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 life94.3%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 visits31.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 months57.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 care7.6%
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 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)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$31,032 · 92nd 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 10.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment90.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment93.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life10.7%
- All care steps completed92.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke24%
- 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 Art of Hospice Care, Inc.
Art of Hospice Care, Inc. serves families throughout San Diego, California. They provide hospice services to those who need end of life support. The agency has been certified by Medicare since 2015. They also carry accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means they meet high standards for safety and care quality. It is a freestanding hospice provider that works directly in the local community. They focus on providing comfort and care to patients in their own homes or care facilities. Their team is ready to help families manage symptoms while supporting personal goals during this time.
About This Provider
This agency operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have maintained their Medicare certification for nearly a decade. The Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail for families to know. This group acts as an independent auditor for healthcare organizations. They look at how a hospice handles patient safety and staff training. If a hospice carries this mark, it shows they choose to follow strict rules. Most providers do not seek this extra level of oversight. The agency employs a total of 13 staff members. This includes 4 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses. They also work with 2 volunteers. Such a team size allows for a personal touch in daily care. Families should look at these details to understand how the staff is built. It helps to know who will be visiting your loved one each week.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in San Diego?
Hospice care in San Diego focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team comes to wherever the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. A nurse usually leads the care plan. They work with doctors to manage pain and other symptoms. You will also find social workers and chaplains on the team. They help with emotional needs and planning. This agency has 4 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses on staff. They also have 2 volunteers available to help. The goal is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. But the team also supports the whole family. They teach you how to give care. They also provide equipment and medicines. It is a team effort to ensure your loved one stays at peace.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big step for your family. You should ask clear questions to find the right fit. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the patient. You also need to know how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. Ask about their response time for urgent calls. It is also good to ask how they support family members with grief. Do they have volunteers who can sit with the patient? How do they handle changes in the patient's condition? These questions help you see if the agency matches your needs. Take your time. Write down the answers you get from each provider you talk with. That will help you compare your options later on.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Your family has many stories that deserve to be kept safe for the future. We offer tools to help you record and save these moments during this time.
Preserve Your StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
LIGHTBRIDGE HOSPICE
APREVA HOSPICE
BRIDGE HOSPICE
SEA COAST HOSPICE CARE INC
VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
ACCENTCARE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF CALIFORNI
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.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
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.