HIGH DESERT HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 8920 ADAMS NE STE B
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87113 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 4, 2015
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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) | 19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
48
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 HIGH DESERT 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 That code may be out of date.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.
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 HIGH DESERT HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 81st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
282
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 day15.8 min
Ranks better than about 81% 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 weekends4.2%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 life91%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 visits34%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 months37.9%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 care6.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$22,582 · 73rd 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 1 required care step for new patients here.
- Visits in the last days of life52.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia39%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
High Desert Hospice Overview
High Desert Hospice serves families across Albuquerque, New Mexico. They provide comfort-focused care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team works to manage pain and support emotional needs at home or in residential settings. Choosing the right hospice is a major step. It is about finding a team that matches your loved one’s specific wishes and values. This provider operates from their office on San Pedro Road. They are part of the local healthcare landscape in Bernalillo County. Their focus remains on quality of life throughout the end-of-life journey. You deserve to feel supported during this time. Having a local team nearby can make a big difference for daily care and urgent visits. That is why getting to know their approach is a great place to start your search for the right hospice partner.
About High Desert Hospice
High Desert Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since December 4, 2015. This certification means they meet federal standards for the care they provide to patients. They are classified under other ownership, which is common for many hospice agencies in the area. What should families know about this? It means they have years of experience serving the Albuquerque community. They have been through many state and federal reviews over the last decade. That is a long track record. When you look at an agency, check how long they have been active. Longevity often points to a stable team and consistent care practices. While ownership types vary, the main goal is always to keep your loved one comfortable. You should ask them how their specific team structure benefits you. Understanding their history helps you feel more confident in the care they will offer your family every single day.
Quality Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in Albuquerque
Albuquerque has many options for families seeking end-of-life support. Hospice is not just about medical care. It is a philosophy that puts the patient’s comfort and dignity first. The goal is to help people live their final days with as little pain as possible. Most hospice care happens in the patient's own home. This keeps loved ones in a familiar place surrounded by their own things. Some agencies also work with nursing homes or assisted living centers. The thing is, every hospice agency has a slightly different way of working. Some might have more volunteers or specific therapy programs like music or pet therapy. You should look for a provider that understands the local culture and resources in Bernalillo County. Asking questions early helps you understand how a hospice team will fit into your current home life. It is about building a team that feels like a true partner.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You need to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how they handle pain management after hours. You want to know that someone is available at 2:00 AM if a crisis happens. That is non-negotiable. Another key question is about their response time. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if you call with an urgent need. You should also ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers. Do they provide help with errands or offer counseling sessions? Finally, ask how they talk to your regular doctor. Good communication between your primary doctor and the hospice team is vital. Write these questions down before your meeting. It helps you stay focused during a stressful time. You are the advocate for your loved one, and you have every right to ask these questions.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one's life is full of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture these memories in a lasting way to share with future generations.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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UNIVERSITY OF NM HOME CARE HOSPICE
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LEGACY HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF NEW MEXICO, LLC
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