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 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 |
| 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.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 5 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 71.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening95.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed71.4%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About ESSENTIAL CARE GROUP, INC
ESSENTIAL CARE GROUP, INC serves the South El Monte area from their office on Durfee Avenue. This hospice provider offers medical support and comfort care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet high standards for safety and performance. This group has provided care to the Los Angeles community since 2017.
About ESSENTIAL CARE GROUP, INC
This is a for-profit hospice agency. They have been certified by Medicare for several years now. The Joint Commission accreditation means they submit to outside reviews of their practices. These reviewers check if the staff follows strict rules for patient safety and clinical quality. Families should know that this accreditation is a voluntary step. It shows a commitment to meeting national benchmarks beyond basic state rules. The agency maintains a team of 10 employees to manage their daily operations. This includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse on staff. They also have one physician and one volunteer to support their care model. Choosing a provider with this level of external review can offer peace of mind during a difficult time. You get to see how they perform against standard industry goals.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SOUTH EL MONTE?
Hospice care in Los Angeles County focuses on comfort rather than curing a disease. The team comes to the home or a facility to manage pain and symptoms. It is a team effort. You will work with nurses, a doctor, and volunteers who provide social support. The staff at this location includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who coordinate care plans. They also have a physician on the team to oversee medical needs. Volunteers add another layer of support by sitting with patients or helping with light tasks. This group model ensures that someone is always looking after the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Care happens where the patient feels most comfortable. That is the main goal of their work. They aim to make every day as peaceful as possible for those they serve.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a serious decision for your family. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You should ask about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. It is also wise to learn how they handle pain management after hours. Ask how often the nurse will visit the patient during the week. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to family members who are grieving. These questions help you understand their daily routine. You deserve clear answers before you start service. The goal is to feel confident in the care your loved one receives each day.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We offer simple tools to help you record and save stories for future generations to enjoy.
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