HospiceScout

BY THE BAY HEALTH

For-ProfitJoint Commission (JCAHO) AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
180 REDWOOD STREET, SUITE 350
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
January 22, 1987

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for BY THE BAY HEALTH
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)36
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)8
Physicians2
Volunteers15

139

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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 2021.

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.

11.2 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 38th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

117

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 day11.2 min

    Ranks better than about 38% 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 weekends8.1%

    Ranks better than about 52% 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 life84.9%

    Ranks better than about 19% 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 visits69.3%

    Ranks better than about 27% 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 care6.4%

    Ranks better than about 50% 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 months40.1%

    Ranks better than about 40% 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 care3.5%

    Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice1.7%

    Ranks better than about 41% 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)79th 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$19,611 · 58th 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 31% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening99.9%
  • Pain assessment99.3%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment100%
  • Treatment preferences discussed99.6%
  • Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids99%
  • Visits in the last days of life31%
  • All care steps completed99%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer39%
  • Dementia11%
  • Heart and circulatory disease10%
  • Lung and respiratory disease4%
  • Stroke8%
  • Other conditions28%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

About By the Bay Health

By the Bay Health offers hospice care for families in San Francisco, California. They provide support for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. This provider has been serving the community since 1987. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group acts as an independent auditor to check the quality of healthcare programs. They ensure providers meet strict standards for safety and care. Having this stamp of approval shows that a hospice team follows clear guidelines to protect those they serve. Families can look for this mark as a sign that the organization values high standards in their daily work. It is an extra layer of oversight that goes beyond basic legal requirements.

Provider Overview

This hospice operates as a for-profit entity. They have been Medicare certified for over three decades. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus their resources entirely on end-of-life care. They are not part of a larger hospital system. This allows them to create a specialized environment for their patients. Their team includes 36 registered nurses and 8 licensed practical nurses. Two physicians lead the medical side of their care. They also have 15 volunteers who give their time to help patients. A total staff of 139 people works to keep operations running smoothly. Understanding the team size helps you see the scale of support available. It is helpful to know who will be in the home. Most families want to know about the people involved in care.

What Is Hospice Care Like in SAN FRANCISCO?

Hospice in San Francisco focuses on comfort and quality of life. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms for the patient. It also provides emotional support for their family members. Most care happens where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. The team visits on a schedule to monitor the patient. They check medication and adjust the care plan as needs change. Nurses and aides provide the bulk of the hands-on care. Social workers often help with emotional hurdles or practical planning. Volunteers offer a friendly presence to sit with patients. This team approach aims to lighten the load during a hard time. It is about keeping the patient comfortable in their own surroundings. Quality care relies on good communication between the staff and the family.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You should feel empowered to ask direct questions during your search. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to the home if a problem arises at night. Ask how they handle pain management for their patients. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers who get tired. Find out how many patients each nurse carries on their list. This tells you how much time they can spend with your loved one. Ask if they have experience with the specific condition your family member faces. You deserve clear answers to these questions. Do not feel rushed to make a choice. Take your time to gather the facts you need to feel comfortable. A good provider will be happy to explain their processes to you.

Preserve Your Family Stories

Capture memories and life lessons to share with future generations while you have the time.

Start Preserving Stories

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

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.