TRADITIONS HEALTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 5500 MING AVENUE, SUITE 190
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93309 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 7, 2008
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
28
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 TRADITIONS HEALTH 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
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how TRADITIONS HEALTH compares to hospices nationwide.
14.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 73rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
49
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 day14.6 min
Ranks better than about 73% 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 weekends5.2%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 life90.4%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 visits35.9%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care18.3%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 months26%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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)52nd 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$19,970 · 61st 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 42.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- 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 life42.3%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia33%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Your Loved Ones
Traditions Health serves families in Bakersfield, California, from their office on Ming Avenue. They offer hospice care designed to focus on comfort and quality of life. This means they help manage pain and offer emotional support for the whole family during a very difficult time. Hospice care is not about giving up. It is about choosing to make every remaining day count. The team works hard to ensure patients stay in their own homes whenever possible. That is a big deal when you want to keep your loved ones in a familiar, comforting space. They bring the care to you, so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time being present with the people who matter most. It is a compassionate approach to care that centers on your family's unique needs.
About TRADITIONS HEALTH
Traditions Health is a for-profit provider that has been Medicare certified since November 2008. Being in business for over 15 years shows they have a long history of serving the Kern County community. Choosing a provider with this kind of experience can offer a sense of stability. Families should know that Medicare certification means they must follow strict federal rules for safety and care. It also means they are regularly checked by inspectors to ensure they meet high standards. But the numbers only tell part of the story. You should always talk to the staff to see if their personality and values match what your family needs. The thing is, hospice is a very personal journey. You want a team that listens to you and honors your family's wishes every single day.
Quality of Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in BAKERSFIELD
Living in Kern County means you have access to several hospice options. But not all providers are the same. Hospice care is a specialized service for people with a life-limiting illness. The goal is to provide comfort, not a cure. Most people think hospice only happens in a hospital, but that is rarely the case. In Bakersfield, most patients receive care right where they live. This could be a private house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The team typically includes a nurse, a social worker, and a hospice aide. They work together to address physical pain and emotional stress. It is a team effort designed to lift the burden off your shoulders. So, you can focus on being a family member instead of a full-time caregiver.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision. You want to feel confident in the care your loved one will receive. Here are a few questions that can help you get the right answers:
- How quickly can a nurse get to our home if we have an emergency at night?
- How does your team help with the emotional and spiritual needs of our family?
- What specific training do your staff members have for our loved one's condition?
- How will you coordinate with our regular doctor to keep our care plan on track?
And never be afraid to ask for clarification if a term sounds confusing. The staff should be able to explain things in simple, plain language. If they cannot, that might be a sign they are not the best fit for your family.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your family's memories are a gift. We offer simple tools to help you capture and save those precious life stories before they are lost. It is a meaningful way to honor your loved one today.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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