TAHOE FOREST HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 10875 PIONEER TRAIL
TRUCKEE, CA 96161 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 23, 1999
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
6
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 TAHOE FOREST HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how TAHOE FOREST HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 27th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
2
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 day10.2 min
Ranks better than about 27% 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 weekends2.6%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 life73.3%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 visits36%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care12.5%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 months18.8%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 hospice6.3%
Ranks better than about 6% 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$5,689 · 1st 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 17.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment97.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life17.5%
- All care steps completed96.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer47%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care at Tahoe Forest Hospice
Tahoe Forest Hospice provides essential end-of-life care for families in Truckee, California. Located on Pioneer Trail, this team focuses on comfort and dignity for patients during their final months. They offer specialized medical support and emotional guidance to those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice is a major decision for any family. You want a team that feels like an extension of your own support system. This provider serves the Nevada County area, working to ensure that patients remain as peaceful as possible in their own homes. Their goal is to manage pain and help families focus on spending quality time together. It is about making every single day count when time is short. Having a local team nearby can make a world of difference for your daily routine.
About Tahoe Forest Hospice
Tahoe Forest Hospice has been Medicare certified since July 23, 1999. This long history shows they have served the Truckee community for over two decades. They operate under an 'Other' ownership category, which is common for many local non-profit or community-based hospice programs. What this means for your family is a focus on community needs rather than just corporate goals. You should know that Medicare certification requires providers to meet strict federal safety and quality rules. This is a big deal because it ensures a baseline level of care for every patient. When you meet with them, ask how their specific team is structured to support your unique situation. They have deep roots in the local region. That kind of experience often helps them navigate the local healthcare system with ease. It is a detail that can bring real peace of mind.
Quality of Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Truckee
Hospice care in the high mountains of Nevada County comes with its own set of challenges. Weather and geography can sometimes make travel difficult for visiting nurses. That is why having a local provider like Tahoe Forest Hospice matters so much. They understand the local terrain and the needs of people living in this region. Most hospice teams include doctors, nurses, social workers, and volunteers. They work together to keep the patient comfortable and pain-free. The thing is, hospice is not just for the very end of life. Many families find that starting care sooner allows them to build a stronger bond with the staff. This helps the team learn exactly what the patient prefers. It also gives the family more time to ask questions and prepare. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local resources are here to help you every step of the way.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider is a personal process. Take your time to get the answers you need. Here are four questions to help you start the conversation:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if an emergency happens at night?
- What specific services do you offer to help family caregivers take a break?
- Can you explain how your team manages pain and other difficult symptoms?
- How do you handle spiritual or emotional support for the family after a loss?
And remember, there is no such thing as a bad question. These people talk about these topics every single day. They expect you to be worried or confused. A good hospice team will be patient with you. They will explain things in a way that makes sense. If they seem rushed or annoyed, keep looking. You deserve a team that listens with their full attention.
Preserving Your Family Story
During this time, the stories and wisdom shared by your loved ones are more precious than ever. We can help you capture these memories to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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