LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 933 PLEASANTON RD STE 109
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78214 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 25, 2018
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 August 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) | 28 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
51
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 LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE 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 LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 41st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
98
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 day11.5 min
Ranks better than about 41% 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%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 life94.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 visits78.9%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 months46.8%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care8.5%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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$19,332 · 57th 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 68.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment96.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life68.6%
- All care steps completed97.7%
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%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke15%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE in San Antonio
LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE offers end of life care services for residents of San Antonio, Texas. The provider operates from their office on Pleasanton Road in Bexar County. They have been certified by Medicare since July of 2018. This hospice provider holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. That group checks to make sure the hospice meets high standards for patient safety and comfort. They offer care for people who need support in their own homes or other living settings. Being accredited shows they follow strict rules for how they treat patients. It is a sign of their commitment to quality care for families in the area.
About LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE
LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE functions as a for profit provider. They have served the community under Medicare certification for several years. Accreditation from the ACHC is a voluntary step that shows they invite outside experts to review their work. These experts look at how the staff handles medications and how they talk to families. It helps ensure that the care provided is safe and consistent. With fifty one employees, they have a team ready to help when patients need support. This includes a staff of twenty eight registered nurses who provide the medical side of care. They also have one physician on their team to guide medical decisions. Families should know that this provider meets the standards required for federal Medicare funding. It is a solid foundation for the care they offer to the San Antonio community.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in SAN ANTONIO?
Hospice care in San Antonio focuses on comfort and quality of life for people with serious illness. The team works to manage pain and support the whole family during a hard time. At LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE, the staff includes twenty eight registered nurses and one physician. This group works together to visit patients where they live. They aim to make sure every patient feels heard and supported. Hospice care does not mean giving up. It means choosing a different path that prioritizes comfort over aggressive medical treatments. Most teams also include aides and chaplains to help with daily needs or spiritual support. The goal is to keep the patient in their home environment whenever possible. This helps maintain a sense of normalcy for the patient and their loved ones while they receive care from trained professionals.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You should ask questions that help you understand how they will care for your loved one. Ask how often a nurse will visit the home. You should also ask how the team handles pain management after normal business hours. It is good to know who you can call if you have a question at three in the morning. Ask if the provider has experience with the specific health condition your loved one faces. You might ask how they handle changes in the patient's condition. Finally, ask what kind of support they provide for family members who are acting as caregivers. Getting clear answers helps you feel more prepared for the days ahead. Write down the answers to compare providers easily.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of stories that deserve to be saved for future generations. You can record these memories together now.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HARBOUR HOSPICE
HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF SAN ANTONIO, LLC
ALAMO HOSPICE
ACCENTCARE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF TEXAS -SAN ANTONIO
ELARA CARING
RIVER CITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.
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.