VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 9655 GRANITE RIDGE DRIVE, SUITE 300
SAN DIEGO, CA 92123 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 13, 1992
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 August 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) | 85 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 52 |
| Physicians | 2 |
362
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 VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA 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
- 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA compares to hospices nationwide.
18.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 91st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
609
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 day18.3 min
Ranks better than about 91% 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 weekends11.1%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 life97.6%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits77.1%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care14.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 months33%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care12.7%
Ranks better than about 24% 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)93rd 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$22,222 · 71st 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 58.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.3%
- Pain assessment99.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.3%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life58.5%
- All care steps completed96.0%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke36%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of VITAS Healthcare in San Diego
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California serves the San Diego community from its office on Granite Ridge Drive. This provider offers hospice services to patients and their families. They have been certified by Medicare since 1992. The agency also holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status shows they meet high standards for safety and performance. You can reach their team at 858-499-8901 to learn more about their specific service area. They work to provide support during difficult times. Choosing a local provider is a major step. It helps to have care nearby. That is why checking their credentials matters so much for your peace of mind.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They have served the San Diego region for over thirty years. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care is a sign of their commitment to quality. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow strict rules for patient care. It is a voluntary process that shows a provider wants to be held to a higher standard. You should know that their team includes 85 registered nurses and 52 licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical needs. This mix of staff helps them manage complex health issues for their patients. Having a large team often means they can respond to changes in a patient's condition more quickly. Families should look at these staffing levels as a sign of their ability to provide consistent care every single day of the week.
Quality Insights
What Is Hospice Care Like in San Diego?
Hospice care in San Diego focuses on comfort and quality of life. Teams work in homes or facilities to manage symptoms. They prioritize relief from pain and emotional support for the entire family. At this agency, the staff includes 362 total employees. This group includes many nurses and doctors who work together. They visit patients to help with daily tasks and medical needs. You can expect them to communicate clearly about the care plan. They also provide equipment and medicines related to the hospice diagnosis. The goal is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible in their own space. It is a team effort. You are part of that team. Their nurses and doctors coordinate to make sure every need is met with care and attention to detail throughout the week.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered when meeting with hospice staff. Start by asking how many nurses are available to visit on weekends. It is good to know who will be on call at night. Ask how they handle sudden changes in a patient's health. You might also ask how they support family members with grief. It is helpful to know if they offer visits from volunteers or chaplains. Ask them to explain their response time for urgent calls. A good provider will answer these questions with patience. They should be clear about what services they provide in your specific area. Do not hesitate to ask for details about their staff training. You deserve to understand exactly how they plan to help your loved one during this time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the memories and wisdom of your loved ones to keep their stories alive for future generations.
Start PreservingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
BRISTOL HOSPICE - SAN DIEGO
AVALON HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL SAN DIEGO HOSPICE
SILVERADO HOSPICE SAN DIEGO
SHARP HOSPICECARE
APREVA HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
Highest-Rated Hospice Providers in Orange County, CA 2026
22 Orange County, CA hospices tie at a perfect 10 on CMS's Hospice Care Index. See all 22 A to Z, and which 9 also carry a Medicare family survey star.
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.