GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 3218 NACOGDOCHES RD
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78217 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 10, 2014
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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
38
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 GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE INC 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
9.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 18th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
136
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 day9.3 min
Ranks better than about 18% 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 weekends7.9%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits66.4%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 care5.5%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months37.4%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care13.2%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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$20,158 · 61st 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 66.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment92.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids95.2%
- Visits in the last days of life66.7%
- All care steps completed95.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia34%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions8%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supporting Your Loved Ones in San Antonio
Guiding Light Hospice Inc provides dedicated end-of-life care for families throughout San Antonio, Texas. Located on Nacogdoches Road in Bexar County, the team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. They offer a full range of hospice services designed to manage pain and support emotional well-being. Whether you are seeking care at home or in a facility, this provider works to ensure your loved one feels safe. It is a big decision, but having local support makes a world of difference for everyone involved.
About Guiding Light Hospice Inc
This provider has been Medicare certified since March 10, 2014. As a for-profit organization, they operate with a clear structure to meet federal quality standards. Families should know that being Medicare certified means they must follow strict rules to protect patient rights and care quality. The thing is, not all hospice agencies are the same. You want a team that shows up when you need them most. That is why checking their history is a smart first step. They have spent over a decade serving the San Antonio area, which shows a long-term commitment to the community. You can feel confident knowing they have navigated the healthcare system for many years.
Quality Care Spotlight
Understanding Hospice Care in San Antonio
San Antonio is home to many hospice providers, but finding the right fit for your family takes time. Most people do not realize that hospice is not just about the final days. It is about improving the quality of life today. Local teams often include nurses, social workers, and volunteers who visit you where you live. And that is the heart of it. They handle the medical needs while you focus on being a family member rather than a caregiver. The best providers in Bexar County listen to your specific wishes and adjust their care plan to match your family's daily routine. It is all about making things easier for you.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before you sign up with any agency. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. That is vital. You should also ask how they help with emotional and spiritual support, not just physical pain. Another good question is how they handle medications and equipment. Will they bring everything to your door? Finally, ask about their staff turnover. You want to know if your loved one will see the same friendly faces each week. Building a bond with the care team makes the whole process feel much more natural and less scary.
Preserve Your Family’s Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We can help you record these precious stories so they are never lost. Start creating a lasting tribute for your family today.
Start RecordingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
RIVER CITY HOSPICE OF TEXAS, L.L.C.
RIVER CITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS LP
AMEDISYS HOSPICE OF SAN ANTONIO
EXCELACARE HOSPICE
ENHABIT HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
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.