FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- ONE GATEWAY CENTER, 300 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 6
NEWTON, MA 02458 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 20, 2017
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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) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
4
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 FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE INC 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
10.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 26th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
47
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 day10.1 min
Ranks better than about 26% 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 weekends2.9%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life74.3%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 visits66.7%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care7%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 months37.2%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 care4.7%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 hospice4.7%
Ranks better than about 13% 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$19,575 · 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 30.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97.9%
- Visits in the last days of life30.9%
- All care steps completed97.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia27%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions29%
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 Newton
First Choice Healthcare Inc provides hospice support to families throughout Newton, Massachusetts. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life during a very difficult journey. The team operates out of their office at One Gateway Center on Washington Street. It is a relief to have local professionals available to help your loved ones stay at home. They know the area well. That local touch makes a big difference when you need a nurse to visit your house quickly. Whether you live near the Charles River or closer to the village centers, they are ready to step in. Choosing the right partner for end-of-life care is a major decision. You want a team that listens to your family's specific needs. First Choice Healthcare brings that focus to the Middlesex County community every single day. Their goal is to keep your loved one peaceful and safe.
About FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE INC
This provider is a for-profit hospice agency. They have been Medicare certified since November 20, 2017. That is nearly seven years of experience serving patients in the state. What does for-profit status mean for you? It often means they follow strict business standards to stay efficient and responsive. They must meet federal rules to keep their Medicare status. That is a big deal. It means they are regularly checked by inspectors to ensure they follow safety laws. Families should know that Medicare covers almost all costs for hospice care. This includes medicine, supplies, and visits from nurses or aides. You do not have to worry about the paperwork side of things. Their staff handles the billing directly with Medicare. That leaves you more time to focus on being a family member rather than a caregiver. They are there to take the load off your shoulders.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in NEWTON
Newton is a tight-knit community. People here value strong local resources. When a health crisis hits, you need to know what is available nearby. Hospice care is not just for the final days. It is for the final months. The main goal is to manage pain and symptoms so your loved one can enjoy their time. The thing is, many families wait too long to call. They think hospice means giving up. That is simply not true. It actually means choosing to focus on comfort above all else. You can keep your own doctor while working with the hospice team. They act as an extra layer of support. In Middlesex County, there are several options, but you want a team that is close by. Fast travel times matter when you have an urgent question. Having a reliable team nearby helps everyone breathe a little easier.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a partner is hard. Start by asking clear questions to find a good fit. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to feel safe around the clock. Second, ask how they handle pain management and medication changes. This is the heart of what they do. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to you and the rest of the family. Grief counseling is often part of the package. It is vital to find out if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one for a few hours. That break can change your whole week. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with their supervisor. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Trust your gut. If a team feels right, they probably are.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories to share. Capture their voice and the stories that define your family history before it is too late.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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