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A nurse providing compassionate care to a patient at home

For Healthcare Professionals

Partner with us to provide your patients with compassionate, expert end-of-life care. Referrals accepted 24/7.

Why Refer to Us

A Trusted Hospice Partner

Santa Maria Hospice works closely with physicians, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies throughout the Central Coast to ensure patients receive the right level of care at the right time.

Rapid Admission

Most patients are admitted within 24–48 hours of referral. We work quickly to ensure continuity of care.

Seamless Coordination

Our team coordinates with attending physicians, discharge planners, and facility staff to ensure smooth transitions.

Joint Commission Accredited

Our Gold Seal of Approval reflects our commitment to the highest standards of quality and patient safety.

Comprehensive IDT

Patients receive care from a full interdisciplinary team — physicians, RNs, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers.

All Levels of Care

We provide all four Medicare levels: Routine Home Care, Continuous Home Care, Inpatient Respite Care, and General Inpatient Care.

Bilingual Services

Spanish-speaking staff available to serve the diverse Santa Maria Valley community.

Make a Referral

How to Refer a Patient

Referrals can be made by physicians, discharge planners, social workers, nurses, or any healthcare professional. We also accept referrals from patients and families directly.

Phone: (805) 361-0264

Call us 24/7 to initiate a referral. Our intake team is available around the clock.

Fax: (805) 361-0278

Fax referral orders and patient information directly to our intake department.

Online: Contact Form

Submit a referral through our secure online contact form. We'll follow up promptly.

Eligibility

Clinical Eligibility Overview

Hospice eligibility requires certification by both the attending physician and the hospice medical director.

Terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of 6 months or less if disease follows its normal course
Patient/family elects comfort-focused care over curative treatment
Certification by attending physician and hospice medical director
Any diagnosis qualifies — cancer, heart disease, COPD, dementia, ALS, renal failure, liver disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, failure to thrive, and more

Not sure if a patient qualifies? Call us at (805) 361-0264 — our clinical team can conduct a pre-admission evaluation at no charge.

Referral Information

What to Include in a Referral

  • Patient name, date of birth, and contact information
  • Primary diagnosis and relevant secondary diagnoses
  • Attending physician name and contact information
  • Current medications and treatment plan
  • Patient location (home, facility, hospital)
  • Insurance information (Medicare/Medicaid/private)
  • Advance directives or POLST if available
  • Any urgent needs or special considerations

Don't have all this information? That's okay — our intake team can work with what you have and gather the rest.

Ready to Make a Referral?

Our intake team is available 24/7 to assist with referrals. Call (805) 361-0264 or fax to (805) 361-0278.