BARTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2092 LAKE TAHOE BLVD SUITE 500
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA 96150 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 11, 1997
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 9 |
24
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 BARTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HOSPICE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BARTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 29th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
8
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 day10.4 min
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life74.7%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 visits64.7%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)67th 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$12,914 · 23rd 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 25.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment88.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening94.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life25.8%
- All care steps completed85.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer41%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Barton Healthcare System Hospice
Barton Healthcare System Hospice serves families in South Lake Tahoe, California. They offer end of life support as part of a hospital system. This provider has earned accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means they follow strict safety rules for patient care. Choosing a team that meets these standards helps your family feel secure. They have served the community since 1997. That is over two decades of local experience. Their team focus is on comfort and dignity for patients near their own homes. Having a hospital based team provides a unique link to other medical resources in the area. This connection can be a big help when health needs change fast. You want a team that knows the local doctors and hospital staff well. Barton provides that link for South Lake Tahoe residents.
About BARTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HOSPICE
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. That structure means their primary goal is patient care rather than profit margins. They have been certified by Medicare for many years. The Joint Commission accreditation is a high bar for any medical provider. It shows they pass regular checks on how they handle medicine, safety, and patient records. Families should know that this accreditation is voluntary. A provider choosing to pay for this review shows they care about quality. They hold strong marks for their patient care results based on federal data. This rating reflects how well they manage pain and help families understand the hospice process. Good communication is a hallmark of a high quality program. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team members. They have a total of 24 employees ready to assist your loved one.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SOUTH LAKE TAHOE?
Hospice care in the mountains involves a mix of home visits and team support. The local geography can be tricky in the winter months. Because of this, you need a team that knows the area well. Barton Healthcare System Hospice uses a dedicated staff to cover these needs. Their team includes 7 registered nurses and 2 physicians. They also have 9 volunteers who provide extra companionship for patients. These volunteers often help with small tasks or just sit and talk. Having a physician on staff is a strong benefit for managing complex symptoms at home. The goal is to keep your loved one in their own bed whenever possible. This team works hard to make that happen every single day. They focus on the patient and the family unit together. That is their main job.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right team is a big decision for your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home if a crisis happens. You should also ask how they manage pain during the night or on weekends. It is good to know who will be the main contact person for your family. Ask how they handle changes in the condition of your loved one. You might also ask how their volunteers are trained to help at home. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with specific health conditions. A good provider will answer these clearly and with kindness. Take notes during your talk so you can compare your options later. Your comfort with the answers is the best way to choose the right partner for your family.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Preserving the memories and wisdom of your loved ones creates a lasting gift for future generations.
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