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 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) | 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 assessment99.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.9%
- Visits in the last days of life41.1%
- All care steps completed98.2%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Palomar Health Palliative and Hospice Care
Palomar Health Palliative and Hospice Care serves the San Marcos, California area. They have provided hospice services since early 2021. This provider is a freestanding hospice that holds accreditation from CHAP. That group checks if agencies meet high national standards for safety and care. They focus on helping patients manage symptoms and find comfort during serious illness. This organization brings professional support directly to your home or current living space. They offer care for people throughout San Diego county who need extra help at the end of life. Accreditation shows they have passed an outside review of their daily work. It is a sign of their commitment to meeting specific health rules. You can feel confident knowing they follow these national guidelines. Their team works to provide comfort for each person they serve.
About Palomar Health Palliative and Hospice Care
This provider operates as an other-ownership model, distinct from traditional hospital-based programs. They earned their Medicare certification in February 2021. The CHAP accreditation is a voluntary process for the agency. It means they invite experts to look at their policies and how they treat patients. These experts ensure the agency follows rules for safety and quality. This process is rigorous and happens regularly to keep the status active. The team consists of seven employees in total. This includes two registered nurses and one physician who lead the clinical work. They also have two volunteers who assist with daily support tasks. Families should know that this size allows for a personal approach to care. Small teams often build closer bonds with the people they serve. It is a unique way to deliver medical and emotional support. You should ask how their specific team size impacts your daily care routine.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in San Marcos?
Hospice care in San Marcos focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings a team to your home to help with pain and daily needs. The team includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers who visit you. They help manage symptoms so you can stay in your own space. Most families find that having these experts nearby makes a big difference. This agency uses a small team of two nurses and one physician to oversee medical needs. They also have two volunteers who provide extra time and attention. This setup means your loved one gets care from a consistent group of people. Having a steady team helps build trust and familiarity during a hard time. The goal is to improve the quality of every day. You get help with medicines, equipment, and emotional support. It creates a calm environment for everyone involved in the care process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice agency is a big step for your family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem occurs. Ask about the specific volunteers available and how they will support your loved one. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management changes at night or on weekends. Ask about their communication style. Do they call you with updates often? Will you have one main person to talk to when you have questions? You should also ask how their team coordinates with your current doctor. Good communication is the key to feeling supported. Take your time to get clear answers. You deserve to understand exactly how they plan to help your family during this time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be saved for the future. We offer tools to help you record memories and share them with the people you love.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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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.