High Desert Hospice
Albuquerque, NM · Medicare-certified hospice (CCN 321572)
CMS process measure: not reported
Serves: 63 ZIP codes (is yours included? →) · Phone: (505) 585-2603 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
High Desert Hospice received a 3-star CAHPS family caregiver rating from CMS, with 79% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it. CMS does not report how its composite process score compares to the New Mexico state average for this hospice.
High Desert Hospice serves 63 ZIP codes from its Albuquerque, New Mexico office in Bernalillo County. Families should confirm whether their specific ZIP code is included by contacting the hospice directly.
Yes, High Desert Hospice is Medicare-certified, with CCN 321572, certified since December 4, 2015. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
About this hospice
High Desert Hospice is a Medicare-certified hospice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving Bernalillo County and the surrounding region. Its ownership type is listed as "Other" in CMS records, and it has been Medicare-certified since December 4, 2015.
In the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey of family caregivers, High Desert Hospice received an overall star rating of 3 out of 5. Among caregivers surveyed, 79% said they would definitely recommend this hospice to others, and 78% rated the hospice 9 or 10 on a 0-10 scale.
CMS also publishes a composite process measure comparing hospices to their state average; for High Desert Hospice, this comparison is listed as "not reported" in the available data, so no direct comparison to the New Mexico state average of 95.93 can be made here. CMS has published a care index score of 9 and reports that 52.1% of patients received visits in the last days of life, according to the most recent Care Compare data. Where a measure is not shown, this often reflects a small number of surveyed patients rather than an indication of quality.
High Desert Hospice's service area, as recorded by CMS, spans 63 ZIP codes. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries; no cost details beyond this are provided here. Families are encouraged to confirm current details directly with the hospice and on Medicare Care Compare.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare cover care from High Desert Hospice?
Yes, High Desert Hospice is Medicare-certified (CCN 321572), certified since December 4, 2015. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients when a doctor certifies eligibility.
What do family caregivers say about this hospice in the CMS survey?
In the CMS CAHPS survey, High Desert Hospice received a 3-star rating, with 79% of caregivers saying they would definitely recommend it and 78% rating it 9 or 10 out of 10.
How does this hospice score on CMS quality measures compared to the state average?
CMS lists High Desert Hospice's comparison to the New Mexico state average composite score of 95.93 as "not reported," so no direct comparison is available from this data; its care index score is listed as 9.
What areas and ZIP codes does this hospice serve?
High Desert Hospice serves 63 ZIP codes from its Albuquerque, New Mexico location in Bernalillo County.
Tip: use our Search by ZIP Code feature to check instantly whether your ZIP is among the 63 this hospice reports serving.
Is this hospice for-profit, non-profit, or government-run — and does it matter?
CMS lists High Desert Hospice's ownership type as "Other." Ownership type can relate to organizational structure but is not by itself a measure of care quality.
How long has this hospice been Medicare-certified?
High Desert Hospice has been Medicare-certified since December 4, 2015.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative treatment, while hospice care is generally for patients who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment, typically when a doctor certifies a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up treatment?
Choosing hospice means shifting the focus of care toward comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment for the terminal illness; it does not mean giving up all care, and patients can still receive treatment for unrelated conditions.
Where is hospice care provided — at home or in a facility?
This data does not specify where High Desert Hospice provides care; please contact the hospice at (505) 585-2603 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I start hospice care with this provider?
The data provided does not describe the intake process; contact High Desert Hospice directly at (505) 585-2603 to learn how to begin care.
What questions should I ask when choosing a hospice?
Families may want to ask about how caregivers rate the hospice in CMS surveys, how the hospice's quality measures compare to state averages, what area it serves, and how to reach the care team; contact High Desert Hospice at (505) 585-2603 for specifics not covered here.
How do I verify this hospice on Medicare Care Compare?
You can look up High Desert Hospice directly on Medicare Care Compare at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospice/321572?state=NM to confirm current ratings and details.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Jul2026 refresh). Survey results are reported by family caregivers through the official CAHPS Hospice Survey; CMS publishes them only above response-count thresholds. Always verify current details with the hospice and Medicare before arranging care.