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Provider Rankings10 min read

Top 10 Hospice Providers in San Diego, California (2026)

10 top-rated hospice providers in San Diego, CA, ranked by CMS star ratings and patient surveys. 42 providers, 4.6-star avg.

Hospice Scout Editorial Team
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Finding Compassionate Hospice Care in San Diego

Choosing a hospice provider is one of the most personal decisions a family can make. In San Diego, you have 42 Medicare-certified agencies to choose from. This high number of providers gives your family more leverage to find a team that matches your values. But, it can also feel overwhelming to compare them all.

We analyzed the latest CMS Care Compare data to help you sort through the options. All 10 providers highlighted below earned a 5-star overall rating, but their patient survey scores differ. These survey scores reflect how families rated their experience with communication and support. Here is the data you need to make an informed choice for your loved one.

How We Ranked These Providers

Our rankings are based on the latest CMS Care Compare data, which evaluates hospice providers on three dimensions: Overall Star Rating (1-5 stars), Quality of Patient Care (clinical outcomes), and Patient Survey Rating (family satisfaction from the CAHPS survey). When providers tie on the first two, and in San Diego many do, the Patient Survey Rating breaks the tie. Providers without survey data (N/A) appear last in each tier.

These are government-reported metrics, not opinions. View the raw data on Medicare.gov

42
Medicare-Certified Providers

Total hospice providers serving San Diego, California

4.6/5
City Average Rating

Average CMS star rating across all rated providers

10
All 5-Star Rated

All 10 featured providers earned the highest CMS rating

Understanding CMS Hospice Quality Ratings

The government uses the Care Compare tool to track how well hospice teams perform. They look at three main areas. First, the Overall Star Rating gives you a quick snapshot of quality. Second, the Quality of Patient Care score tracks if the team manages pain and symptoms effectively.

The third piece is the Patient Survey Rating. This comes from the CAHPS survey sent to families after a loved one passes. It measures things like how often the staff communicated and if they treated the patient with respect. These ratings are not just numbers. They are a reflection of real family experiences. Use them as a starting point to narrow your search.

1. Silverado Hospice San Diego

Silverado Hospice San Diego holds a 5/5 overall rating and a 5/5 quality of care score. Their 4/5 patient survey rating is the highest among our top providers. This for-profit agency has been Medicare-certified since December 2007. They serve the broader San Diego area from their Kearny Villa Road office.

The higher survey score suggests that families felt well-supported by their staff. When interviewing them, ask about their specific approach to 24/7 symptom management. You can find more details at the Silverado Hospice San Diego profile →.

2. Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego Hospice

This non-profit provider has served the area since 1986. With over 39 years of history, they have deep roots in the local community. They earned a 5/5 overall rating and a 5/5 quality of care score. Their patient survey rating is 3/5.

Being non-profit, they often focus on community health programs. A 3/5 survey score means family experiences were mixed. Ask them how they handle communication updates for distant family members. Visit the Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego Hospice profile → to learn more.

3. Sharp Hospicecare

Sharp Hospicecare is a for-profit agency certified in 1992. They show consistent results with a 5/5 overall rating and 5/5 in patient care. Their patient survey score is 3/5. They operate out of Ruffin Road, serving many parts of San Diego County.

The 3/5 survey score indicates that families had average satisfaction. Since they are a large system, ask about their staff-to-patient ratios. This helps you understand how much time they can spend with your loved one. Explore the Sharp Hospicecare profile → for contact details.

4. Apreva Hospice

Apreva Hospice has been certified since 2009. They maintain a 5/5 overall rating and a 5/5 quality of care score. Like many others on this list, they earned a 3/5 on the patient survey. This for-profit agency is based on Hotel Circle South.

A 3/5 survey score shows room for improvement in family communication. Be sure to ask them how often a nurse will visit your home. You can view their full data at the Apreva Hospice profile →.

5. Mission Hospice Services of San Diego LLC

Operating since 2012, this for-profit agency has a 5/5 overall rating. They also earned a 5/5 for quality of patient care. Their patient survey score is 3/5. They are located on Northside Drive.

A 3/5 score is an average rating for family satisfaction. When you speak with them, ask for examples of how they support caregivers at home. It is important to feel heard. See their Mission Hospice Services of San Diego LLC profile → for more info.

6. Seaport Hospice

Seaport Hospice is a for-profit provider certified in 2013. They hold a 5/5 overall rating and 5/5 in quality of care. Their survey score is 3/5. They are based on Convoy Street.

The 3/5 survey rating suggests families had a standard experience. You should ask them how they manage pain during nights and weekends. That is a big deal for peace of mind. Check the Seaport Hospice profile → to learn more.

7. Comfort and Peace Hospice

As one of the newer agencies on this list, they have been certified since 2019. They earned a 5/5 overall rating and 5/5 for quality of care. Their patient survey score is 3/5. This for-profit agency is located on Murphy Canyon Road.

A 3/5 survey score is a middle-of-the-road result. Ask them about their turnover rates for nursing staff, as consistent care is helpful. Visit the Comfort and Peace Hospice profile → for details.

8. VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California

VITAS is a large for-profit provider certified in 1992. They have a 5/5 overall rating and 5/5 in quality of care. However, their patient survey score is 2/5. This is below average.

A 2/5 survey score means some families reported challenges with communication and emotional support. You must ask them directly about their process for handling family concerns. Transparency is vital here. See their VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California profile →.

9. Advantage Health Systems

This for-profit agency has been certified since 2013. They show a 5/5 overall rating and 5/5 for quality of care. Their patient survey score is 2/5. They are located on Tierra Grande Street.

A 2/5 survey score indicates that families had below-average experiences with communication. Before choosing them, ask how they ensure families feel respected and heard during difficult times. You can find their contact info at the Advantage Health Systems profile →.

10. Gentiva

Gentiva has been certified since 1998. They hold a 5/5 overall rating and 5/5 for quality of care. Their patient survey score is N/A. This for-profit agency is based on Shoreham Place.

The N/A score means they did not have enough survey responses for CMS to publish a rating. This is common for smaller or newer agencies. Ask them for references from other families in your area. View their Gentiva profile → to learn more.

San Diego Hospice Provider Ratings at a Glance

ProviderOverall StarsQuality of CarePatient SurveyOwnership
Silverado Hospice San Diego554For-Profit
Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego Hospice553Non-Profit
Sharp Hospicecare553For-Profit
Apreva Hospice553For-Profit
Mission Hospice Services of San Diego LLC553For-Profit
Seaport Hospice553For-Profit
Comfort and Peace Hospice553For-Profit
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California552For-Profit
Advantage Health Systems552For-Profit
Gentiva55N/AFor-Profit

How to Use These Rankings

These ratings are a great starting point, but they are not the whole story. Ratings don't capture everything. Bedside manner and family communication styles matter just as much as scores. Use this list to identify 3 providers to call.

When you call, ask specific questions. Ask about their 24/7 availability for emergencies. Ask how they handle pain management during the night. If a provider has a lower survey score, ask them how they have improved their communication lately. Trust your gut. The right provider will make you feel supported from the first conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care in San Diego

How many hospice providers serve San Diego, California?

There are 42 Medicare-certified hospice providers serving the San Diego area. Of these, 10 have CMS quality ratings that placed them at the top of our list.

What do CMS star ratings mean for hospice providers?

Star ratings summarize quality data. A 5-star rating means the provider performed well on clinical metrics and family surveys. It is the gold standard for Medicare-certified care.

Are non-profit hospice providers better than for-profit ones?

Not necessarily. Non-profits often reinvest in community programs, while for-profits may offer more locations. Both must meet the same Medicare conditions to stay certified.

Will Medicare cover hospice care in San Diego?

Yes. Medicare Part A covers hospice care for those who qualify. This includes nursing care, medications, and medical equipment at no cost to the family.

What should I do if a provider has an N/A survey rating?

N/A simply means they lack enough survey data for a public score. This is common for newer agencies. Just ask them for references to hear about other family experiences.

Key Takeaways

  • San Diego has 42 hospice options, giving you plenty of choice.
  • Silverado Hospice leads our list with a 4/5 patient survey score.
  • Always look past the 5-star rating to check the patient survey score.
  • Agencies with 2/5 survey scores require extra questions about communication.
  • N/A survey scores are not bad signs, just a lack of data.
  • Start your search by interviewing at least three top-rated providers.

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