EQUINOX HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 6621 VAN NUYS BLVD, UNIT 115
VAN NUYS, CA 91405 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 3, 2021
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
14
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 EQUINOX HOSPICE INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how EQUINOX HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
11.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 45th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
28
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 day11.8 min
Ranks better than about 45% 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 weekends27.3%
Ranks better than about 98% 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 life92.3%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits89.6%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 care1.3%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 months45.3%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 hospice1.3%
Ranks better than about 47% 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$37,410 · 97th 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 20% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life20%
- All care steps completed94.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia31%
- Heart and circulatory disease28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Equinox Hospice Inc
Equinox Hospice Inc serves families in Van Nuys, California. This provider offers hospice care for those facing life-limiting illnesses. They have been certified by Medicare since June 2021. The agency holds accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This group reviews care standards to ensure they meet high benchmarks for safety and quality. Families often look for this stamp of approval when they compare hospice providers. It shows that an outside group has checked the agency work. They operate as a freestanding hospice in Los Angeles County. Their focus remains on providing comfort and support for patients during their final months. You can reach their office on Van Nuys Boulevard to ask about their specific programs. Choosing care is a big step for any family. This provider aims to meet the needs of those they serve in the local community with professional care standards and a clear commitment to their patients.
About the Agency
Equinox Hospice Inc is a for-profit hospice agency. They have been active in the Medicare program for several years now. Being a for-profit agency means they operate as a business while following strict federal rules for hospice care. Their team includes 14 employees in total. This staff count features 3 registered nurses and 5 licensed practical nurses. These nurses work with 5 volunteers to provide support. CHAP accreditation is a sign that the agency meets national standards for patient care. Accrediting bodies like CHAP visit the agency to look at how they handle medical records and patient outcomes. They also check how the staff treats people in their care. This process helps keep the quality of service high. It matters because it gives families peace of mind. You know an independent group has verified their performance. The goal is to provide reliable care for every patient they admit. They show a clear structure for their clinical team.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Van Nuys?
Hospice care in Los Angeles County focuses on comfort and dignity. The goal is to manage symptoms so the patient can stay at home. A team typically includes nurses, social workers, and volunteers who visit as needed. At Equinox Hospice Inc, the staff includes registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. They work together to create a plan that fits the needs of the patient and family. This team approach is standard for good hospice care. They help manage pain and offer emotional support for everyone involved. Some days might involve a quick check by a nurse. Other days might involve a visit from a volunteer for companionship. The care is flexible because patient needs change over time. Being in Van Nuys means patients have access to local resources and professional medical support in their own homes. This allows for a more relaxed setting during a difficult time. The team handles the medical side so you can focus on time together.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right agency is a choice that requires good information. You should ask about how they handle after-hours calls. Find out who will be the main nurse for your loved one. It is also good to ask how they help the family with grief support. Ask if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one has. You might ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. Do not be afraid to ask about their volunteer services and how they help with daily tasks. Ask if they follow a specific care philosophy. Good providers will be happy to answer these questions clearly. They want you to feel comfortable with the plan. Take your time to get the answers you need before you make your final decision. Your comfort with the team is a key part of the process.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be saved for future generations. Capture meaningful memories and personal stories during this time.
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