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I need care for a loved one

How to choose a hospice

Medicare-certified hospices vary in quality, staffing, and after-hours response. Use Care Compare star ratings, interview questions, and California licensing checks before signing an election.

  • Last verified 2026-06-24
  • 4 topics
  • Official sources

Start with Care Compare

Medicare's Care Compare tool publishes quality measures and family survey scores for Medicare-certified hospices by location - filter for California ZIP codes and compare at least two agencies.

  • Look at timely initiation of care and visits in the last days of life.
  • Read CAHPS family caregiver ratings alongside clinical measures.
  • Verify the agency is active - not just similarly named.

Medicare Care Compare

Questions to ask on the phone

Ask who answers after-hours calls, average time to first nursing visit, whether your preferred hospital contracts with them, and how they handle medication deliveries on weekends.

  • Request the nurse-to-patient ratio on your shift.
  • Ask if they provide continuous home care locally.
  • Confirm bereavement support length - Medicare requires 13 months.

CMS - Hospice quality

California licensing

California hospice agencies must meet state licensure and federal conditions of participation. CDPH lists licensed facilities; confirm your agency's license status before election.

  • Hospital-based and freestanding hospices use different referral patterns.
  • Ask about any recent survey deficiencies and corrective actions.
  • Switching hospices later is allowed if service is poor.

California CDSS - Hospice licensing

Fit for your situation

If your loved one lives in memory care or with complex dementia behaviors, ask about experience with antipsychotic stewardship and non-pharmacologic comfort measures.

  • Language access matters - confirm interpreter services.
  • Veterans may have parallel VA hospice options.
  • Document the primary contact person for the interdisciplinary team.

NIH NIA - Hospice and palliative care

Program rules, income limits, and covered services change. This page summarizes public programs in plain language - it is not legal or financial advice. Confirm eligibility and benefits with the linked official source or a qualified advisor.

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