BLUE SHIELD HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 425 E COLORADO ST UNIT 480B
GLENDALE, CA 91205 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 30, 2022
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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.
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) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
1
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 BLUE SHIELD HOSPICE 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 BLUE SHIELD HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 34th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
17
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 day10.8 min
Ranks better than about 34% 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 weekends17.4%
Ranks better than about 92% 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.
- Gaps in nursing visits35.8%
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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 months13.9%
Ranks better than about 93% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$21,716 · 69th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 97.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease57%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Blue Shield Hospice
Blue Shield Hospice provides end of life care services to families in Glendale, California. This provider earned its Medicare certification on March 30, 2022. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency in Los Angeles County. The team holds accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This group works to ensure that hospice agencies follow strict health and safety standards. It shows they meet high benchmarks for patient care and clinical operations. Families should know that this agency is a for-profit organization. They focus on meeting the needs of those they serve in the local area. Choosing the right care is hard. Having this background information helps you make a better decision for your loved one. It acts as a starting point for your research.
About BLUE SHIELD HOSPICE
Blue Shield Hospice functions as a for-profit provider. This status means the agency operates under private ownership rather than as a non-profit group. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2022. The agency maintains accreditation through CHAP. This third-party group reviews hospice centers to ensure they follow national best practices. They check how the agency handles medical records and staff training. It is a sign that the provider chooses to hold themselves to high standards. Families often look for this accreditation when they compare local options. It provides an extra layer of oversight beyond basic state rules. You should feel free to ask them about their specific experience. They can explain how their team supports your family members during this time. Transparency is always a good sign in a healthcare partner.
Quality Ratings
What Is Hospice Care Like in GLENDALE?
Hospice care in Glendale focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. It combines medical support with emotional care for the whole family. The team includes experts who understand how to manage pain and symptoms. At Blue Shield Hospice, the current staff includes one registered nurse. They do not have any volunteers on their team at this time. This small staff size means you will likely work with a consistent team. It can make the care feel more personal. Most hospice agencies in Los Angeles County provide visits to your home or a care facility. They coordinate with your doctor to make sure the care plan fits your needs. You should ask how they handle after-hours calls. Knowing who to call at night brings peace of mind to many families.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to find a provider that fits your family. Do not be afraid to ask direct questions during your first meeting. Here are a few things to consider. Ask how many staff members will be assigned to your loved one. You should also ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens. It is good to know what their policy is for weekend or holiday support. Ask if they provide help for family members after the patient passes away. This is often called bereavement support. You want to know if they offer spiritual care or music therapy as well. Write down the answers so you can compare them later. Take your time with this process. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one receives.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is difficult but it is also a chance to hold onto precious memories. Recording your family history creates a lasting gift for future generations.
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