BY THE BAY HEALTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 17 EAST SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD
LARKSPUR, CA 94939 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 31, 1984
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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 August 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) | 71 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 10 |
| Physicians | 5 |
| Volunteers | 6 |
230
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 BY THE BAY 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BY THE BAY HEALTH compares to hospices nationwide.
11.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 43rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
365
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 day11.7 min
Ranks better than about 43% 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 weekends8%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 life83.5%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 visits74.6%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 care5%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 months43.3%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care1.4%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice0.9%
Ranks better than about 52% 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$23,527 · 76th 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 34.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.1%
- Visits in the last days of life34.5%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions36%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
By the Bay Health in Larkspur
By the Bay Health serves families throughout Larkspur, California. This non-profit hospice provider has offered end-of-life care since 1984. They carry accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet high standards for safety and quality. Choosing a hospice provider is a hard decision. Having a local team with decades of experience can help bring clarity to your family during this time. The agency operates as a freestanding hospice facility. They focus on providing care that aligns with the specific needs of their patients in Marin County.
About By the Bay Health
By the Bay Health operates as a non-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare for four decades. The Joint Commission provides their accreditation. This group acts as an independent auditor for healthcare organizations. They perform regular reviews to ensure the hospice follows strict safety and care rules. You want to know that your loved one is in safe hands. This accreditation serves as a mark of their commitment to these standards. The team includes 71 registered nurses and 10 licensed practical nurses. Five physicians and six volunteers also support the staff. This staffing model allows them to provide care across their service area. Their long history of certification shows they have stayed committed to these goals for a very long time. That is a clear sign of stability for families looking for help.
Quality and Care Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Larkspur?
Hospice care in Larkspur focuses on comfort and quality of life. It brings a team of experts to the patient. This team often includes nurses, doctors, and social workers. By the Bay Health employs 230 people to manage these services. They work to keep patients comfortable at home or in their preferred setting. You might wonder how the team stays connected. Registered nurses and practical nurses visit to check on symptoms and offer support. They also have physicians on staff to oversee medical plans. Volunteers are also part of the team to offer extra companionship when needed. This setup ensures that care is tailored to the individual. It is about making each day better for the patient and their family. The local team in Marin County understands how to coordinate these resources effectively for those who need them most.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you pick a provider. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. You should also ask how the team will handle pain management and comfort needs. It is smart to ask how often the doctor will visit or check in on the plan. Ask if the provider has experience with the specific condition your loved one has. You can also ask about the role of volunteers in the daily care plan. Finally, ask what support they offer to family caregivers who need a break. These questions help you understand the level of care you can expect. Good providers are always happy to answer these questions clearly. Take your time to get the answers you need before making your final choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We can help you record these stories to keep them safe for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
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Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.