HOSPICECARE IN THE BERKSHIRES
Provider Information
- Address
- 877 SOUTH STREET, SUITE 1W
PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 19, 1991
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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) | 18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
48
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 HOSPICECARE IN THE BERKSHIRES 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICECARE IN THE BERKSHIRES compares to hospices nationwide.
14 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 68th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
138
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 day14 min
Ranks better than about 68% 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 weekends5.9%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 life92.4%
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 visits64.3%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care0.7%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months22.9%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 care1.4%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice1.4%
Ranks better than about 45% 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)85th 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$11,983 · 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 58.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening95.3%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.5%
- Beliefs and values discussed87.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.6%
- Visits in the last days of life58.3%
- All care steps completed83.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke26%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
HospiceCare in the Berkshires
HospiceCare in the Berkshires serves families in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This provider offers end of life support through professional medical care and comfort services. They have been certified by Medicare since 1991. This longevity proves their long standing commitment to the local community. Their team holds accreditation from the ACHC, which shows they meet high standards for safety and care. They focus on providing comfort to patients during their final months. That is their primary goal. Choosing a provider with such a long history in Berkshire County can offer you peace of mind during a difficult time.
About HospiceCare in the Berkshires
This is a non-profit organization. Non-profits often reinvest their resources directly back into patient care programs. They operate as a freestanding hospice, meaning they focus entirely on end of life care rather than being a small part of a large hospital. The ACHC accreditation is a major mark of quality. This group checks providers to make sure they follow strict rules for safety and health. It shows the team works hard to keep their processes clean and effective. You should know that they have a team of 48 staff members. This includes 18 registered nurses and one physician. Having a medical director on staff ensures that care plans are handled with expertise. They also rely on five volunteers to help support families. This mix of staff helps them maintain a strong reputation for high quality care across the region.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in PITTSFIELD?
Hospice care in Pittsfield focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or at a care facility. The team works to manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional support to the whole family. Because this provider has a dedicated team of 18 registered nurses, they can handle complex medical needs. This means they have the staff to respond to your loved one whenever symptoms change. They also use volunteers to provide extra comfort and companionship. That is a nice touch. The staff knows the local area well. They are ready to help you coordinate care with your own doctors. You can expect a team that balances medical skill with personal attention. They work to keep patients at home where they feel most at peace. You should reach out to them to learn how their specific team can help your family today.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a personal choice. You want to feel confident in the team you invite into your home. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. Ask about the specific services their volunteers offer. You should also ask how they communicate with your family physician. It helps to know who will be your main point of contact for daily questions. Ask them how they handle pain management and if they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Pay attention to how they answer your questions. Do they listen well? Do they explain things in a way that makes sense to you? You deserve clear answers. Take your time to get the information you need before you make a final decision. Your comfort is the most important thing.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories and wisdom to share. Documenting these memories can be a meaningful project for your family during this time.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
LEGACY LIFECARE HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE CARE- WEST
VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD
VNA & HOSPICE OF COOLEY DICKINSON
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.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.