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
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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) | 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 assessment97.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life68.6%
- All care steps completed97.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke15%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Providing Comfort in San Antonio
La Diferencia Hospice serves families throughout San Antonio, Texas, from their office on Pleasanton Road. They focus on providing comfort and support for patients during their final months. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision. You want a group that feels like an extension of your own family. That is exactly what they aim to do for the Bexar County community. They offer professional care designed to manage pain and improve quality of life every single day. The team works hard to ensure patients remain as comfortable and peaceful as possible in their own homes. It is about dignity and grace when it matters most. You deserve a partner who truly understands the local needs of your loved ones. This team is ready to help you navigate these difficult moments with kindness and clear communication.
About LA DIFERENCIA HOSPICE
La Diferencia Hospice has been Medicare certified since July 25, 2018. As a for-profit hospice provider, they operate with a clear focus on meeting federal quality standards. This means they must follow strict rules to keep their certification active. For you, this provides a layer of security and accountability. What most people do not realize is that all Medicare-certified providers go through regular checks to prove they meet high care levels. This hospice team has spent years building their reputation in the San Antonio area. They understand the specific, unique needs of the people living in Bexar County. When you look into their history, you see a consistent commitment to the hospice philosophy. It is not just about the medical side of care. It is about supporting the whole person and their family throughout the entire journey.
Quality Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in SAN ANTONIO
San Antonio is a large city with many options for end-of-life care. But having many choices can sometimes make the decision feel overwhelming. Hospice is a special kind of care that focuses on comfort instead of a cure. The goal is to provide relief from pain and other symptoms. That is a big deal for families who want their loved ones to be at peace. You will find that most hospice teams here work with your doctor to create a plan that fits your specific needs. They bring equipment and supplies right to your door. This helps keep patients out of the hospital so they can stay in the comfort of their own home. It is about making sure that the final chapter of life is spent surrounded by familiar things. You are not alone in this search for the right local support.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a major step. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions before you sign anything. Start by asking how quickly they can respond if there is an emergency in the middle of the night. You should also ask how they manage pain and if they have a doctor on call at all times. It is smart to ask how often a nurse will visit the home each week. Another good question is how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling or spiritual support? You need to know that they will be there for you when things get hard. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. The right team will listen to your concerns and answer every question with patience and total honesty. That is the sign of a provider that truly cares.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The stories and memories you share today will become a precious gift for future generations. Capture these moments now to keep your family history alive forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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