PALOMAR HEALTH PALLIATIVE & HOSPICE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 365 S RANCHO SANTA FE, SUITE 104
SAN MARCOS, CA 92078 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 10, 2021
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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) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
7
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 PALOMAR HEALTH PALLIATIVE & HOSPICE 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
- 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 PALOMAR HEALTH PALLIATIVE & HOSPICE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
84
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 life79.4%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 visits72.2%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 care23.2%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 months13.1%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care5.1%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 hospice2%
Ranks better than about 37% 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)81st 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$19,398 · 58th 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 41.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.2%
- Visits in the last days of life41.1%
- All care steps completed98.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease17%
- Stroke20%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in San Marcos
Palomar Health Palliative & Hospice Care serves families throughout San Marcos, California. They offer supportive services focused on comfort and quality of life for those facing a life-limiting illness. Their team works in San Diego County to provide care wherever a patient calls home. Getting the right support early often makes a big difference for everyone involved. The thing is, hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about living each day with as much peace and dignity as possible. Their staff helps manage pain and stress so families can focus on being together. Choosing a local provider means the care team is nearby when you need them most. That is a real comfort during a difficult season.
About Palomar Health Palliative & Hospice Care
This provider has been Medicare certified since February 2021. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal standards for safety and care quality. They operate under an 'Other' ownership model, which is common in the healthcare space. Families should know that Medicare certification is the gold standard for hospice providers in the United States. It ensures that the agency follows specific rules to protect your loved one. Because they have been active since 2021, they have had time to build their local care practices. They focus on palliative and hospice models to support physical and emotional needs. You can reach their office at (619) 780-5469 if you have questions about their specific programs. It is always wise to call and ask how their team handles after-hours emergencies. That simple step can provide a lot of peace of mind for your family.
Quality Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in San Marcos
San Diego County has many hospice options, but finding the right fit is personal. Hospice is a special type of care that focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings a team of nurses, aides, and social workers to your home or a facility. Most people do not realize that hospice can start sooner than people think. You do not have to wait until the very last days of life. Early hospice care can help manage symptoms like pain, breathing issues, or anxiety. This allows patients to stay comfortable and alert for as long as they can. And the support extends to the family, too. Counselors and volunteers are often available to help with the emotional toll of caregiving. In a place like San Marcos, you have access to professional resources that can lift the weight off your shoulders. You deserve to have extra hands on deck right now.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice agency is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will be in your home. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if there is a sudden crisis at night. You also want to know how the team handles pain management and medication changes. It is smart to ask how they support family caregivers who might be feeling tired or overwhelmed. Do they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one while you run errands? Another good question is how they stay in touch with your primary doctor. Clear communication is key to good care. If you feel like your questions are being brushed off, keep looking. You are the advocate for your loved one, and your peace of mind matters just as much as their comfort. Take your time to find the right match.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories to share. Capture their unique voice and stories today to create a lasting gift for your future generations.
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