SANTA MARIA HOSPICE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 222 W CARMEN LANE SUITE #206
SANTA MARIA, CA 93458 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 5, 2018
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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 | 1 |
5
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 SANTA MARIA HOSPICE, INC 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
- 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SANTA MARIA HOSPICE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
9.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 19th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
12
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 day9.4 min
Ranks better than about 19% 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 weekends6.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 life65.5%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 visits84%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months30%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 hospice10%
Ranks better than about 2% 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$19,722 · 59th 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 20.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life20.5%
- All care steps completed76.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Other conditions42%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Santa Maria Hospice, Inc
Santa Maria Hospice, Inc provides end-of-life care services in Santa Maria, California. They have served the community since February 2018. The agency holds accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet high standards for safety and care. This provider works as a freestanding hospice agency in Santa Barbara County. Their team aims to support patients and families during difficult times. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay close to their loved ones throughout the process.
About Santa Maria Hospice, Inc
This agency operates as a for-profit provider. They have been certified by Medicare for several years. The Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail for families to consider. This group performs regular reviews to check if a hospice meets strict rules for quality and safety. Many families look for this seal because it shows a commitment to high standards. It is one way to measure if a team is ready to provide good care. You should feel comfortable asking how their status affects your daily care plan. This information helps you make a choice that fits your family needs.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Santa Maria?
Hospice care in Santa Maria focuses on comfort and quality of life. This agency maintains a small, focused team to handle patient needs. Their staff includes two registered nurses, one physician, and one volunteer. With a total of five employees, they offer a personal approach to care. This setup allows the team to be very attentive to each person they serve. They work together to manage pain and provide emotional support for the entire family. It is a team effort. You will find that these professionals focus on making every day count for the patient. They bring expertise to the home setting to ensure comfort remains the top goal for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a major decision for any family. You should feel free to ask questions that help you understand how they work. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management for their patients. Find out how often their staff will visit your loved one during the week. Ask if they have experience with the specific health condition your family member faces. These answers will give you a clear picture of their care style. You deserve to know exactly what to expect from the team you choose. Stay focused on your family needs.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be saved for future generations to cherish and learn from.
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