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 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) | 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%
- Visits in the last days of life34.5%
- All care steps completed99.6%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care at By The Bay Health
By The Bay Health serves the community in Larkspur, California. They offer expert hospice care for patients and their families. Their team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. They provide medical, emotional, and spiritual support for those in need. Families in Marin County rely on their services for end-of-life care. This provider works to ensure every patient feels cared for and respected. They help patients stay in their own homes whenever possible. Their staff is trained to manage pain and symptoms effectively. Choosing the right hospice is a vital step for your loved one. By The Bay Health offers a local option for high-quality end-of-life support.
About By The Bay Health
By The Bay Health is a non-profit hospice provider. Being non-profit means they focus on patient care over profit. They have been certified by Medicare since July 31, 1984. This shows a long history of serving the public. Medicare certification is a standard for quality in the United States. Families should know that this provider meets federal rules for hospice care. They have served the Larkspur area for many years. This experience helps them guide families through complex health decisions. Their non-profit status often means they invest resources back into community programs. Choosing a long-standing provider can give families peace of mind. You can trust that they have deep roots in the local health system. Their long service record shows a dedication to the people of Marin County.
Quality Ratings Overview
Understanding Hospice Care in Larkspur
Hospice care is a special type of support for people with serious illness. In Larkspur, families have access to several hospice options. These teams come to your home or a care facility. They bring nurses, doctors, and social workers to your side. The goal is to keep the patient pain-free and comfortable. Hospice also offers help to the family during this hard time. You do not have to walk this path alone. Local providers like By The Bay Health know the community well. They can help connect you to other local resources too. It is important to talk about your goals for care early on. This helps the team make sure they meet your specific needs. Understanding these services can help you feel more ready to make choices.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you start care. Here are a few things to ask a potential provider:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if we have an emergency?
- What specific services do you offer for emotional and spiritual support?
- How does your team involve the family in the daily care plan?
- Can you explain how your team manages pain and other symptoms?
Take your time to get the answers you need. It is okay to ask for more details if you do not understand. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns. A good provider will be happy to answer all your questions clearly. Their job is to support you and your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is precious for your family. Capture memories and life lessons to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.