HEALTH LINK HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 550 BRYANT STREET, SUITE 1A
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 2, 2019
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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) | 6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
16
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 HEALTH LINK 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HEALTH LINK HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 84th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day16.3 min
Ranks better than about 84% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life92.3%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits4.9%
Ranks better than about 98% 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 care14.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 months20.8%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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$26,890 · 86th 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 54.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment97.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life54.3%
- All care steps completed98.8%
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%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Health Link Hospice
Health Link Hospice serves the San Francisco area from their office on Bryant Street. This provider offers end-of-life care for patients and their families in San Francisco County. They have been certified by Medicare since late 2019. The team holds accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, which is a common way for agencies to show they meet high national standards. Choosing a local provider often helps families get care more quickly when needs change. This agency operates as a for-profit organization. It is important for families to look at the specific services offered to see if they fit your needs. Their team focuses on providing care in the comfort of your own home or residence.
About Health Link Hospice
Health Link Hospice operates as a for-profit provider in California. They have held Medicare certification for several years. Accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner means this agency invited outside experts to review their work. These experts check if the agency follows strict rules for safety and quality. This process is voluntary, but it shows a commitment to keeping records and care plans in good order. The agency employs 16 staff members in total. This includes 6 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse who handle clinical needs. They do not currently use volunteers. Families should know that accreditation adds a layer of accountability to the care provided. It gives you some peace of mind knowing they follow these specific guidelines every single day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SAN FRANCISCO?
Hospice care in San Francisco focuses on comfort and dignity for those with a limited life expectancy. The goal is to manage pain and help the patient remain at home. Most local agencies provide a team approach to care. At Health Link Hospice, the staff includes 6 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse. These professionals visit patients to check on symptoms and offer support. They also coordinate with doctors to keep the care plan current. This team approach aims to reduce stress for family caregivers. It can be a relief to have a nurse just a phone call away. Most care happens where the patient lives. That could be a private house or a care facility. Local agencies must meet state and federal rules to keep serving the community. This ensures a baseline of care for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit takes a bit of time. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem occurs at night. You should also ask how the agency handles pain management and symptom control. Ask about the specific team members who will visit your home. You need to know if you will see the same nurse often. It helps to ask how they communicate with your primary doctor. Ask them how they support families during the difficult time after a loss. Finally, ask if they provide services on weekends or holidays. Getting clear answers to these questions helps you feel ready. Write down the answers to help compare your options clearly.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones before they fade. Creating a record of these moments provides comfort for generations to come.
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