HOSPICE OF HEALTH FIRST INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1131 W NEW HAVEN AVE STE 102
WEST MELBOURNE, FL 32904 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 9, 1985
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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) | 68 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 112 |
158
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 OF HEALTH FIRST 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
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
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.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF HEALTH FIRST INC compares to hospices nationwide.
16.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
237
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 day16.1 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 weekends12.6%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 life99.3%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 visits58.8%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 care9.4%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months40.3%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care3.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 hospice1.3%
Ranks better than about 47% 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$11,968 · 18th 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 82.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life82.9%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease17%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Health First Inc
Hospice of Health First Inc offers dedicated end-of-life care for families in West Melbourne, Florida. Based at 1131 W New Haven Ave, they focus on comfort and peace for patients in Brevard County. This provider helps manage symptoms so patients can spend meaningful time with their loved ones. They have served the community for decades, offering a steady hand during a difficult time. Choosing the right team makes a real difference in how a family experiences these final months. Their goal is always to keep the patient safe and comfortable in their own home or a facility. It is a big job, but they have the experience to handle it well. When you call (321) 434-1744, you reach a team ready to listen to your specific needs right now.
About Hospice of Health First Inc
Hospice of Health First Inc operates as a for-profit provider. They first earned their Medicare certification on May 9, 1985. That is nearly forty years of service. That kind of history matters because it shows they know the local healthcare system inside and out. Families should know that being for-profit does not change the core mission of hospice. All Medicare-certified providers must meet the same strict federal rules for care. The main thing is to find a team that feels like the right fit for your family's values. They are part of a larger network, which can sometimes mean more resources are available to you. But the care always comes down to the individual nurses and aides who visit your home. You want a team that is kind, prompt, and easy to talk to at any hour of the day or night.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in West Melbourne
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different path that focuses on quality of life. In West Melbourne, you have access to teams that specialize in pain management and emotional support. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. They think they need to wait for a doctor to say it is time. But you can ask for a consultation whenever you feel like things are getting hard to manage at home. Hospice teams visit you where you live. They bring supplies, medicine, and equipment right to your door. This saves you from trips to the hospital that might be stressful for your loved one. It is all about keeping the patient in their own bed, surrounded by the things they love most. That is the best way to honor their final journey.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices, and you should feel good about the one you make. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. This is vital for your peace of mind. Ask who will be on the core team. Will it be the same nurse every week, or does it change often? Consistency helps build trust. You should also ask how they handle pain management at night or on the weekend. Does a real person answer the phone, or do you get a machine? Finally, ask how they involve the family in the care plan. You know your loved one best. A good hospice team will listen to your input and respect your wishes. If a provider seems rushed or cannot answer these questions, keep looking. You deserve a partner who is patient and clear.
Keep Their Stories Alive
Your family history is a treasure. We help you record and save the stories, lessons, and memories that define your loved ones so they are never forgotten.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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