BRISTOL HOSPICE-CALIFORNIA, LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 374 EAST YOSEMITE AVENUE, SUITE 200
MERCED, CA 95340 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 8, 2007
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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) | 18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
33
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 BRISTOL HOSPICE-CALIFORNIA, LLC 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BRISTOL HOSPICE-CALIFORNIA, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
13 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 59th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
120
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 day13 min
Ranks better than about 59% 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 weekends6.9%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 life94.5%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 visits51.6%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 care12.4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 months34.5%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care21.2%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 hospice1.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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$21,549 · 68th 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 38.7% 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 life38.7%
- 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.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia35%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Merced
Bristol Hospice-California, LLC provides end-of-life care services for families in Merced, California. Their professional team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. They offer support at 374 East Yosemite Avenue, Suite 200. This provider helps patients manage pain and symptoms with a focus on quality of life. Their goal is to ensure patients remain as comfortable as possible in their own homes or care facilities. Families receive help with both physical and emotional needs. The team works closely with each patient to build a custom care plan. This plan addresses specific wishes and goals for every individual they serve. They serve the Merced area with a commitment to high standards of care.
About BRISTOL HOSPICE-CALIFORNIA, LLC
Bristol Hospice-California, LLC is a hospice provider that has been Medicare certified since March 8, 2007. Their long history of service shows a commitment to meeting federal quality standards. The provider is listed under an "Other" ownership category. Families should know that this means the organization operates independently of large hospital systems. They have served the Merced community for many years. This experience helps them navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Choosing a provider with a long history of certification can offer peace of mind. It shows they have met government rules for many years. Families can feel confident that this provider understands the regulations required for hospice care. Their staff is trained to support you through every step of the hospice journey. You can reach their office at (209) 384-1415 to learn more about their specific services.
Understanding Hospice Care in Merced
Hospice care in Merced is designed to provide comfort when a cure is no longer the main goal. It is not about giving up hope. It is about choosing to live each day with the best quality possible. Local hospice teams include doctors, nurses, and aides. They also have social workers and volunteers to help your family. These experts visit the patient where they live. This could be a private house or a nursing home. Care is about managing pain so the patient can be present with loved ones. It also includes emotional support for the whole family during this transition. You do not have to walk this path alone. Hospice teams in Merced are trained to walk beside you. They provide the guidance you need to make informed choices. The focus remains on the patient's comfort and their personal goals every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a very important decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking questions to find the best fit. Here are a few things to ask during your first visit:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if an emergency happens at night?
- What specific services do you provide for emotional and spiritual support?
- How does your team keep me updated on the patient's daily condition?
- Can you explain how your team manages pain and other difficult symptoms?
Take your time to talk with the staff. Listen to how they answer your concerns. Do they sound kind and patient? Do they explain things in a way that is easy to understand? You deserve a team that listens to your needs. Do not be afraid to ask for more details until you feel satisfied with the answers.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a unique life story that deserves to be remembered. We can help you record these memories to share with future generations.
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