TAHOE FOREST HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 10875 PIONEER TRAIL
TRUCKEE, CA 96161 - Ownership Type
- Combination Government & Non-Profit
- 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 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) | 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 That code may be out of date.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. 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 17.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.0%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life17.5%
- All care steps completed98.0%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Tahoe Forest Hospice
Tahoe Forest Hospice serves the community in Truckee, California. They operate as a hospital-based program providing end-of-life care. This provider has been certified by Medicare since the summer of 1999. Their team consists of six staff members who provide support to patients and their families. This includes three registered nurses and one physician. They help families manage symptoms and find comfort during difficult times. Choosing a local provider often helps keep care close to home. The team works to honor patient wishes while providing medical support in a familiar setting. They are part of the local healthcare system in Nevada County. You can reach their office on Pioneer Trail for more information about their specific care programs.
Understanding Your Provider
Tahoe Forest Hospice functions as a combination of government and non-profit ownership. This structure is common for hospital-based hospice programs. Medicare certification means they meet federal standards for health and safety. The program has maintained this status for over two decades. Families should know that Medicare certification is the baseline for quality. It ensures that the provider follows specific rules for pain management and support services. This provider currently holds strong marks for their quality of care based on national hospice index data. High marks in these areas suggest the team follows best practices for patient comfort. That is a solid indicator of reliable service. You should look at these ratings as one part of your decision process. Always ask how these services fit your specific needs.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in TRUCKEE?
Hospice care in this mountain region focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team at Tahoe Forest Hospice includes six total employees who manage daily medical tasks. With three registered nurses and one physician on staff, they provide a focused approach to symptom management. They work to prevent hospital stays and keep patients in their preferred environment. Nurses often visit to check on pain levels and provide medication support. The doctor oversees the medical plan to ensure it meets the needs of the patient. Because the team is small, patients often get to know their care providers well over time. This can lead to a more personal experience for the family. Hospice is about quality of life. The staff works hard to ensure each day is as peaceful as possible for the people they serve.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit takes a few good questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an urgent need arises at night. This is a common concern for many families. Ask how the team handles changes in pain medication or other symptoms on the weekend. You should also ask how they support family caregivers who may feel tired or overwhelmed. It is helpful to ask if they provide volunteers for companionship or simple chores. Ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs a higher level of care than what home hospice can provide. Knowing the answers to these questions helps you feel ready. Take your time to get the details you need to make the best choice for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capturing memories is a meaningful way to honor your loved one during this time. Start building your family archive today.
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