AVALON HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3914 MURPHY CANYON ROAD, SUITE A226
SAN DIEGO, CA 92123 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 3, 2006
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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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
19
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 AVALON 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 AVALON HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 9th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
15
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 day8 min
Ranks better than about 9% 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 weekends6.4%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 life68%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 visits96.2%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months61.9%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 care9.5%
Ranks better than about 38% 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$38,427 · 98th 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 36.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening93.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed93.1%
- Beliefs and values discussed65.5%
- Visits in the last days of life36.4%
- All care steps completed51.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia40%
- Heart and circulatory disease37%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Avalon Hospice & Palliative Care
Avalon Hospice & Palliative Care provides end-of-life services in San Diego, California. They offer support for patients and their families during difficult times. The team focuses on comfort and care for those with serious illnesses. They serve the San Diego community from their office on Murphy Canyon Road. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for every patient they see. Families can reach out to their team at (858) 751-0315 to learn more about their specific hospice and palliative care options. Choosing the right provider is an important step in the care journey. Our guide helps you understand what this provider offers to those in need of compassionate support in San Diego.
About AVALON HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Avalon Hospice & Palliative Care is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been Medicare certified since April 3, 2006. This means they have served the San Diego area for many years. Being a for-profit agency means they operate as a business while following federal Medicare rules. Families should know that Medicare certification ensures the provider meets national standards for hospice care. It is helpful to ask how their team manages pain and emotional needs. Because they have been in business since 2006, they have a long history of serving local patients. You should consider how their experience fits your family's needs. Feel free to contact them directly to ask about their care philosophy and team structure. Understanding their history can help you feel more confident in your choice for your loved one.
Quality Ratings Note
Understanding Hospice Care in SAN DIEGO
Hospice care in San Diego is designed to provide comfort and dignity. It focuses on the patient's well-being rather than a cure for their illness. A team of nurses, doctors, and social workers usually provides this care. They visit patients at home or in care facilities. In San Diego, many families choose hospice to help manage pain and stress. The goal is to support the patient's wishes and give them the best possible quality of life. Hospice also offers support to family members during this hard time. It can include counseling and help with daily tasks. Choosing a local provider allows for faster response times and more personal visits. You should always talk to your doctor about when hospice care might be the right choice for your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You want to be sure you have all the facts before you decide. Here are some simple questions to ask when you call a provider:
- What specific services do you provide for pain management?
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if there is an emergency?
- What kind of emotional and spiritual support do you offer to families?
- How does your team handle communication with my current doctor?
Asking these questions will help you see if a provider is a good fit. You deserve to feel comfortable with the team that will care for your loved one. Do not be afraid to ask for more details or clarification. A good provider will be happy to answer your questions clearly and with kindness.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is precious. We can help you record and save the stories and memories that matter most to your family. Start creating a lasting keepsake today.
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