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
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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) | 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 screening97.4%
- Pain assessment98.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.7%
- Visits in the last days of life58.5%
- All care steps completed95.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke36%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITAS Healthcare in San Diego
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California serves families in San Diego. They operate from their office on Granite Ridge Drive. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 1992. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group offers care for those needing support at the end of life. They function as a freestanding hospice provider for the local area. Finding the right care is hard work. This team aims to provide support when your family needs it most. Their long history shows they have deep roots in the California hospice system. You should look at their specific quality marks to see if they fit your needs.
About VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
This is a for-profit hospice provider. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care means they meet high standards for safety. These groups check that hospice agencies follow strict rules. This process protects patients and families alike. It shows the agency wants to show they follow best practices. They have a large team with 85 registered nurses and 52 licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians on staff. That is a solid medical team. Having many nurses helps them respond to patient needs quickly. You should know that Medicare reviews these providers often. They track how well teams manage pain and other symptoms. Check the official quality scores on this page to see how they perform. These scores help you understand the care they provide to others in your community.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in SAN DIEGO?
Hospice care in San Diego brings medical support directly to your home. It focuses on comfort for the patient. You get a team of experts to help manage pain. This team includes nurses and doctors. They work with social workers to support the whole family. Most hospice care happens where the patient lives. That could be a private home or a care facility. The goal is to keep the patient safe and comfortable. Staffing levels matter here. With 362 total employees, this agency has the size to cover a large area like San Diego. They work to coordinate care around the clock. If you have questions about how they visit homes, just ask them. They can explain their local service area and response times. Good hospice care means the team is ready when you call them for help.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to talk to a few providers before you decide. Start by asking how they handle pain management at night. Ask how many nurses they have available for after-hours calls. You should ask about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. Find out how often a nurse will visit the home. Ask how they handle emergencies. A good provider will answer these questions clearly. They should never rush you during this talk. Ask them how they work with your current doctor. You want a team that communicates well with everyone involved. Write these answers down so you can compare them later. Take your time to get the answers you need for your family's peace of mind.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is hard, but your family history is a gift. Start saving your favorite memories and stories today to keep them safe for years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
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What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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Some stories are worth writing down
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