CIRCLE OF LIFE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4730 COLLEGE PARK
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78249 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 18, 2021
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
4
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 CIRCLE OF LIFE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
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 CIRCLE OF LIFE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
7.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 9th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
69
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 day7.9 min
Ranks better than about 9% 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 weekends6.4%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 life86.8%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 visits85.3%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 care6.1%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 months32.7%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care16.3%
Ranks better than about 14% 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%
Ranks better than about 50% 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$28,880 · 90th 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 41.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.2%
- Pain assessment97.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment91.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life41.6%
- All care steps completed93.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia31%
- Heart and circulatory disease33%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in San Antonio
Circle of Life Hospice and Palliative Care serves families throughout San Antonio, Texas. They provide comfort-focused care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Their team works hard to manage pain and symptoms while supporting the entire family unit. The goal is simple: to help loved ones live each day with dignity and peace.
Choosing the right hospice provider is one of the most important decisions a family can make. This team operates out of their office on College Park. They bring specialized care directly to the patient's home or care facility. That is a big deal when you want to keep your loved one in a familiar, comfortable setting. Relying on experts who know the area makes a world of difference during a difficult season.
About Circle of Life Hospice and Palliative Care
This provider is a for-profit hospice agency serving the Bexar County area. They earned their Medicare certification on June 18, 2021. Being Medicare-certified means they meet strict federal standards for safety and care quality. Most families feel better knowing their provider has passed these regular government checks.
You should know that for-profit status is common in the hospice industry. It does not change the core mission of care, but it is a factor to consider. The agency has built its reputation over the last few years in the San Antonio market. If you are exploring your options, ask them about their specific experience with your loved one's needs. The team at Circle of Life is available at (210) 890-2700 to answer your questions. Getting clear answers early helps remove a lot of the stress that comes with these decisions.
Understanding Hospice Care in San Antonio
San Antonio is home to many hospice providers, which gives families several choices. But, not all agencies are the same. Some focus on specific types of care, while others have a wider reach across Bexar County. It is helpful to look at the Medicare Hospice Care Index scores for each agency you consider. These scores measure things like how well they manage pain and how they support family caregivers.
Finding the right fit is about more than just a list of services. It is about finding a team that listens to your family's unique story. You want people who show up on time and communicate clearly. Don't be afraid to interview more than one agency. The right match will make the journey much easier for everyone involved. Take your time to get it right.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
When you call an agency, have a list of questions ready. First, ask how quickly they can start care once a doctor signs off. Speed matters when a patient is in pain. Second, ask how they handle after-hours calls. You need to know that a nurse is available at 3:00 AM if a crisis happens. That is a non-negotiable for most families.
Third, ask how often a nurse will visit the home. You want a clear schedule so you know what to expect each week. Finally, ask about their experience with your loved one's specific illness. A good provider will be honest about their strengths. Trust your gut during these talks. If a provider feels like a good partner, they likely are. You deserve to feel supported and heard during this time.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF SAN ANTONIO LLC
GENTIVA, HOSPICE IPU ADS
HARBOUR HOSPICE
COMPASSUS - SAN ANTONIO
BLUE SKIES HOSPICE
RIVER CITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.