ESSENTIAL CARE GROUP, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1170 DURFEE AVE SUITE K
SOUTH EL MONTE, CA 91733 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 15, 2017
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
10
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 ESSENTIAL CARE GROUP, 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ESSENTIAL CARE GROUP, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
11.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 43rd 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.
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 day11.7 min
Ranks better than about 43% 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 weekends11.2%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 life95.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 visits82.8%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 care20%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 months20%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)74th 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$40,381 · 98th 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.
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia53%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Essential Care Group, Inc
Essential Care Group, Inc provides hospice services to families in South El Monte, California. This freestanding hospice team works to support patients through care focused on comfort and symptom relief. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group has served the local area since their certification in 2017.
Provider Background
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They first received Medicare certification on June 15, 2017. Accreditation from the Joint Commission means an outside group checked their work against high safety standards. These reviewers look at how the team handles medicine and patient records. They also check how the staff communicates with families during difficult times. This process confirms the provider follows strict national rules for health and safety. It shows a clear intent to meet specific performance goals. Families should know that this accreditation is voluntary. It adds another layer of oversight beyond basic state laws. Having this status often points to a commitment to quality. The team maintains these standards to ensure they provide consistent support to every patient they serve.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in South El Monte?
Finding the right hospice in Los Angeles County involves looking at how teams handle daily needs. A typical hospice team brings care directly to where the patient lives. This team includes a mix of skilled workers. At this location, the staff consists of two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have one physician and one volunteer on the team. These professionals work together to manage pain and provide emotional comfort. The goal is to keep the patient in their own home or a familiar setting. Doctors and nurses visit as needed to adjust care plans. Volunteers often help with companionship or light tasks around the house. Having a local team helps ensure that someone is nearby when a sudden need arises. This setup allows families to focus on spending time together instead of managing medical logistics alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a care provider is a significant step for your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other symptoms during the weekend. Ask them to explain their plan for providing supplies like beds or oxygen equipment. It is also good to ask how they communicate changes in a patient's condition to the family. Finally, ask what specific tasks the volunteers perform during their visits. You deserve clear answers to these questions before you sign any paperwork. Do not feel rushed during your search. Take your time to find the right fit for your loved one. A good hospice team will be happy to answer each of your questions with patience and honesty.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories worth keeping for future generations.
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