RIVER CITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 6523 MOSS OAK DR.
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 27, 2010
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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) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 8 |
9
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 RIVER CITY HOSPICE & 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how RIVER CITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 15th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
63
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 day8.9 min
Ranks better than about 15% 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 weekends5.6%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 life82.3%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 visits69.5%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care7%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 months49.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 care9.3%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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)74th 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$20,785 · 64th 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 45.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life45.8%
- All care steps completed99%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease29%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About River City Hospice & Palliative Care
River City Hospice & Palliative Care serves families in San Antonio, Texas. This provider offers hospice and palliative services to support patients during serious illness. They have earned accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means an outside group checked their work to see if they meet high safety standards. It shows they care about how they help you. They have been certified by Medicare since 2010. This gives them many years of experience in the local community. They operate as a for-profit hospice provider. Families often look for this type of care when they need extra medical support at home. Their team is there to help your family manage symptoms and focus on comfort. You can reach them at 210-858-9138 for more details on how they work. They are located on Moss Oak Drive.
Understanding Their Quality of Care
This provider holds top marks for their quality of care based on the CMS Hospice Care Index. They also hold a perfect score for their overall rating. The Joint Commission accreditation is a big deal for your peace of mind. This group looks at how a hospice handles medicine, safety, and patient rights. They visit the office to make sure things run the right way. Most people do not know that hospitals and hospices pay for these checks. It is a choice to hold yourself to a higher standard of work. Their team includes 9 staff members in total. This count includes 2 registered nurses and 1 physician. They also have 8 volunteers who give their time to help patients. Having volunteers shows a deep commitment to the community. You can feel good about a team that puts this much effort into their daily work.
Quality Note
What Is Hospice Care Like in SAN ANTONIO?
Hospice care in Bexar County focuses on keeping your loved one comfortable. It is care that happens wherever you call home. You will find that teams work together to manage pain and other symptoms. This team approach is standard for good hospice care. At this specific provider, the staff includes 2 registered nurses and 1 physician. These professionals lead the care plan and check on the patient often. The 8 volunteers provide extra support for the family. They might sit with a patient or help with small tasks around the house. This makes a difference during a hard time. Most hospices here follow the same Medicare rules for what they must provide. But each team has a different feel. You should call and talk to the staff to see if they fit your needs. That is the best way to get a real sense of their style.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a partner for end of life care is a big decision for any family. You should ask questions that help you understand how they will care for your loved one. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home after a call. You need to know if they have staff on call during the night or on weekends. Second, ask how they handle pain and medicine management. You want to know that they have a clear plan for these needs. Third, ask about how they support family caregivers. It is hard work to care for someone you love. You deserve to know what kind of training or break time they offer you. Finally, ask about their experience with the specific illness your loved one has. Good providers will be honest about what they can do to help you.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a life full of memories that deserve to be kept safe for your family to share in the future.
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