HOSPICE BY THE SEA INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1531 W PALMETTO PARK RD
BOCA RATON, FL 33486 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 1, 1983
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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) | 77 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 40 |
| Physicians | 4 |
| Volunteers | 350 |
270
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 HOSPICE BY THE SEA INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 HOSPICE BY THE SEA INC compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
678
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends13%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits85%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 care13.1%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months28.9%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 hospice0.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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)98th 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$15,486 · 36th 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% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97%
- Pain assessment95.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids94%
- Visits in the last days of life34%
- All care steps completed90.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia6%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke28%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Boca Raton
HOSPICE BY THE SEA INC serves the Boca Raton, Florida community from its location on West Palmetto Park Road. This provider offers specialized end-of-life care designed to bring comfort and dignity to patients during their final months. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision for every family. You want experts who know how to manage pain and provide emotional support. This team works within Palm Beach County to ensure residents have access to compassionate care when they need it most. They focus on quality of life above all else. Finding the right fit for your loved one is the first step toward peace of mind. It is about matching professional support with your family’s unique needs and values. That is why having local options like this matters so much for Boca Raton families.
About HOSPICE BY THE SEA INC
This provider has been Medicare certified since December 1983. That is over four decades of experience serving the community. The agency operates under an 'Other' ownership structure, which is common for many hospice organizations. When you look at their history, the length of time they have been certified shows a long-standing commitment to the area. Families should know that Medicare certification means they must follow strict federal rules for care standards. This ensures a baseline of safety and quality for all patients. It is smart to ask them how their specific team structure works day-to-day. You want to know who will be at the bedside and how they handle after-hours calls. The thing is, every agency has its own culture and approach. Spending time to talk with their staff helps you see if their values align with your own family’s wishes.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in BOCA RATON
Boca Raton has a wide range of hospice options for seniors and their families. Accessing these services often happens after a doctor suggests a change in the focus of care. The goal shifts from trying to cure an illness to making the patient as comfortable as possible. It is a transition that can feel overwhelming at first. But you are not doing this alone. Local providers are trained to handle complex symptoms and offer support to the whole family. Many people think hospice is only for the very last days of life. That is a common mistake. In reality, you can start hospice care sooner to get more support for a longer time. The local health network here is robust. Use that to your advantage. Reach out early so you can learn about the different levels of support available to you right now in Palm Beach County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big deal. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions before you sign anything. Start by asking how quickly they can arrive if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. Response time is key. Next, ask about their specific team members. Will you have a dedicated nurse who visits regularly? Consistency helps build trust. You should also ask how they help with pain and other hard symptoms. If they cannot give you a clear plan, keep looking. Finally, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a vital part of hospice care. Do not be afraid to ask for these details. You deserve clear answers that put your mind at ease. A good provider will be happy to answer every single one of your questions without hesitation.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time is about more than just medical care. It is about celebrating a life well-lived. Create a space to preserve your family's history and precious stories for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.