Kaweah Health Hospice
A hospice in Visalia, California 93291
402 W Acequia Ave, Visalia, California 93291. (559) 733-0642.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026. We couldn’t read Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ list since Oct 27, 2026: qcor.cms.gov now refuses our reader. This record is as of then.
- 10 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 3of 5 family caregiver rating
- 8of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
10 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 22 hospices serving ZIP code 93291 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on May 1, 2026: a follow-up inspection by The Joint Commission.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
10 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Feb 2026. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Feb 27, 2026: reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission10 deficiencies
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Timeframe for completion of assessment (42 CFR 418.54(b))
“Observed in Tracer Visit. In 2 of the 14 records reviewed, the initial comprehensive assessment was not completed within the required timeframe of no later than 5 days following the election of hospice care. Examples: In HSRRHV#2, the initial spiritual care assessment was conducted 12 days after the election of hospice. In HSRRNHV#5, the psychosocial assessment was completed 6 days after the election of hospice. These findings were confirmed by the Hospice Director and the Clinical Manager”
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(5))
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 of the 14 records reviewed, reassessments were not completed according to policy. Specifically, in RRNHV#9 and RRNHV#10, weekly wound measurements required by the Wound Care Policy were not documented. For RRNHV#9, no wound measurements were recorded on or after admission. For RRNHV #10, wound measurements were missing for weeks 3 through 11. Also in RRNHV#9, the Falls Risk Assessment was not completed at recert as required by the Falls Policy. These findings were confirmed by the Hospice Director and the Clinical Manager.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(1))
“Observed in Tracer Visit. In 3 of the 14 records reviewed, the plan of care did not include interventions to manage symptoms and risks identified in the comprehensive assessments. Specifically in HSRRHV#1, HSRRHV#4, and HSRRNHV#8, the fall risk assessment scores indicated that the patients were at high risk for falls. However, the corresponding plans of care did not include interventions to manage the fall risk. These findings were confirmed by the Hospice Director and the Clinical Supervisor.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(2))
The inspectors’ words, 93 words
“Observed in Tracer Visit. In 3 out of 14 records, orders specifying the frequency of services required to meet patient needs were incomplete or missing. Examples: In HSRRHV#1, nursing visit frequencies were not ordered for two visits completed during week 2 of benefit period 5. In HSRRNHV#6, the Foley catheter order was incomplete, lacking both the catheter size and the frequency for catheter changes. In HSRRHV#3, the oxygen order with a range from 2-5 LPM was missing parameters and indications for adjusting. These findings were confirmed by the Hospice Director and Clinical Manager.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
“Observed in Record Review. In 6 out of 14 records, there were multiple PRN medications that addressed the same symptom without indication of when each medication was to be administered. Examples: In HSRRHV#3 and HSRRHV13, Ativan and Oxycodone were ordered for SOB. In HSRRNHV#9, Ativan and Dilaudid were ordered for SOB. In HSRRHV#4, HSRRNHV#11 and HSRRNHV#12, Ativan and Morphine Sulfate were ordered for SOB. This was confirmed by the Hospice Director and Clinical Manager.”
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Coordination of services (42 CFR 418.56(e)(2))
“Observed in Record Review. In 3 out of 14 records, services were not provided per the plan of care. Specifically in HSRRHV#1, there was a missed aide visit during the first week of benefit period 5. In HSRRNHV#6, there were 2 missed aide visits during the second week of benefit period 1. In HSRRHV#2, there was a missed MSW visit during month 2 of benefit period 1. These missed visits were not known prior to the survey. The findings were confirmed by the Hospice Director and Clinical Manager.”
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Hospice aide assignments and duties (42 CFR 418.76(g)(1))
“Observed in Tracer Visit. In 3 of the 4 applicable records that included hospice aide services, the written patient care instructions for the aide did not reflect the identified safety precautions. Examples: In HSRRHV#1 and HSRRHV#3, fall and aspiration precautions were identified in the plan of care. However, these precautions were not included in the hospice aide care plan. In HSRRHV#4, fall precautions were documented in the plan of care but were not included in the aide care plan. This was confirmed by the Hospice Director and Clinical Manager.”
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Training (42 CFR 418.100(g)(3))
The inspectors’ words, 103 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of the 10 records reviewed, competencies were not assessed or documented as part of staff orientation. Example: In HSHR#10, no competencies had been documented in the volunteer file since the date of hire. This finding was confirmed by the Hospice Director. Observed in Competency Session. In 1 of the 10 HR records reviewed, the organization had not established defined competencies for staff providing volunteer services. This was demonstrated in HSHR#10, where no competencies were documented for the volunteer role. In interviewing the Volunteer Coordinator and Hospice Director, it was confirmed that volunteer competencies had not been established.”
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Content (42 CFR 418.104(a)(3))
“Observed in Tracer Visit. In 1 of 4 home visit records, the medication list within the medical record was inaccurate. Example: In HSRRHV#2, the patient reported taking the following medications which were not noted on the medical record profile: Hydrochlorothiazide and Atorvastatin. Patient reported taking these medications since admission 8 weeks ago. Patient also reported taking Amlodipine Besylate 10 mg tablets daily since admission instead of the 5 mg tablets noted on the profile within the medical record. This was confirmed by the Hospice Director.”
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Discharge or transfer of care (42 CFR 418.104(e)(2)(i))
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 out of 2 live discharge records, the hospice did not provide the patients’ attending physicians a copy of the hospice discharge summary. Examples: In HSRRDC#1 and HSRRDC#2, there is no documentation indicating that the discharge summary was sent to the attending physician. These findings were confirmed by the Hospice Director and Clinical Manager.”
All 2 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | Follow-up inspection by The Joint Commission | No deficiencies cited |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission | 10 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since May 16, 2002.
- Ownership: other.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 27.1 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 9.7% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 93.9% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 56% at home, 14% in assisted living, 22% in a skilled nursing facility, 8% elsewhere.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 27.1 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 9.7% |
| Visits near death | 93.9% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Kaweah Delta Health Care District owns 100% directly since May 16, 2002.
- 14 owners or officers are people: Jagdev Batth (corporate officer, 0%); Jagdev Batth (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Dean Levitan (corporate director, 0%); Anthony Olmos (corporate director, 0%); Tiffany Bullock (runs it (operational or managerial control), 0%); Benjamin Cripps (corporate officer, 0%); Benjamin Cripps (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Malinda Tupper (corporate officer, 0%); Marc Mertz (corporate officer, 0%); Marc Mertz (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); David Francis (corporate director, 0%); Scott Baker (corporate officer, 0%); Scott Baker (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Ryan H Howard (runs it (operational or managerial control), 0%).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaweah Delta Health Care District | Owns 5% or more directly | 100% | May 16, 2002 |
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 3 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 87% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 89% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 8 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 90.4% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 54.4% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 8 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 22 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 93291, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 10.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Kaweah Health Hospice This hospice | 10 |
| American Qlh | 7 |
| Infinite Heart Hospice | 5 |
| Seva Hospice | Not given |
| Adventist Health Home Care Services | 0 |
| Gentiva | 18 |
| Bristol Hospice Fresno | 4 |
| Community Professional Hospice Care, LLC | 3 |
| Ardent Hospice of Fresno | 23 |
| Blessed Care Hospice Inc. | Not given |
| Valley Regional Hospice Inc. | 4 |
| Ardent Hospice of the Valley | 10 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.