ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 7550 IH-10 WEST STE 710
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 16, 2004
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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) | 6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
18
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 ELARA CARING 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 ELARA CARING 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.
39
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 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life91.5%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 visits72.7%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care5.7%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 months45.7%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care11.4%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$18,484 · 53rd 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 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 67.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.6%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in San Antonio
Elara Caring provides hospice services to families across San Antonio and the surrounding Bexar County area. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency. They have offered care to the community since August 2004. Their team focuses on end of life support for patients who need comfort and relief from symptoms. They work hard to meet the needs of each patient they serve. Families often look for local providers with a long history of service in their own neighborhoods. This agency brings two decades of experience to the local medical community. Choosing the right care is a heavy decision for any family. You should look at the specific services offered by each agency to see if they fit your needs. Elara Caring offers a clear track record of service in Texas. Their team remains available to answer questions about the hospice process. That helps families know what to expect during this time.
About Elara Caring
Elara Caring is a for-profit hospice provider. Being Medicare certified since 2004 shows they have met federal standards for a long time. The agency employs 18 staff members who work together to support patients. This team includes 6 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 physicians on staff. These professionals work to manage pain and provide care in the home setting. Most people do not realize how much the staff composition matters for daily care. Having multiple nurses on staff means they can oversee patient symptoms closely. You should ask how the team coordinates care with your primary doctor. A strong team makes a difference for the patient and the family. Medicare certification means the agency follows national rules for health and safety. This gives families a baseline for the quality of care they will receive. It is a standard measure for all hospice providers in the United States.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in San Antonio?
Hospice care in San Antonio focuses on comfort for patients with serious illnesses. The goal is to improve quality of life when curative treatment is no longer the main focus. Many agencies in Bexar County serve families in their own homes. Some also provide care in nursing homes or assisted living centers. The team usually includes nurses, doctors, and aides who visit the patient regularly. They work together to manage pain and help with daily needs. That is their primary job. The staff will also provide support for the family members who are caring for their loved ones. You can expect the team to create a plan that addresses your specific situation. They will coordinate with your local pharmacy to get needed supplies delivered. Most agencies provide 24 hour phone support for urgent questions. This ensures you have help whenever a symptom changes. It provides peace of mind for the whole family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice provider starts with asking the right questions. You should call several agencies to see how they respond to your needs. First, ask how quickly a nurse can arrive if you have an emergency at night. Second, ask how many patients each nurse usually manages at one time. A lower number often means more time for your family. Third, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific process for updates. You should also ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. These questions help you understand the culture of the agency. Do not feel rushed to make a choice. Take your time to compare the answers you get from different offices. You have the right to choose the care that makes your family feel most secure. Good communication is the key to a positive experience for everyone involved.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be kept safe for future generations to enjoy.
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