BAYSTATE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 30 CAPITAL DR, SUITE A
WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 21, 1988
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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) | 28 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 30 |
58
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 BAYSTATE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BAYSTATE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
125
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends9.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 life95.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits33.1%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 months34.5%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice3.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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)95th 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$8,863 · 7th 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 52.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment97.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life52.5%
- All care steps completed95.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Baystate Hospice
Baystate Hospice serves families in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and the surrounding Hampden County area. They provide end-of-life care services as a hospital-based provider. This organization has maintained Medicare certification since September 1988. They focus on meeting the needs of patients who require medical care and comfort at home or in a facility. Their team works to support the physical and emotional well-being of every person in their care.
About Baystate Hospice
This is a non-profit organization. It functions as part of a hospital system. The group employs 58 people to carry out their mission. This team includes 28 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical needs. A group of 30 volunteers helps provide extra support to families. That is a significant number of volunteers for this size of team. Being non-profit means they operate under a structure focused on service rather than profit. They have been certified by Medicare for over three decades. This history shows long-term consistency in meeting federal standards. Families should know that this provider meets high benchmarks for care quality. Their survey results from patients show that people often feel heard and supported during their time with the team.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in WEST SPRINGFIELD?
Hospice care in this area centers on comfort and dignity for the patient. A team approach is the standard here. You get support from registered nurses, doctors, and volunteers. These professionals coordinate to manage pain and symptoms effectively. They spend time listening to the wishes of the patient and the family. Most care happens where the patient lives. That could be a private house or a nursing facility. The staff members are trained to help with daily tasks and emotional needs. They want to make sure the patient stays as comfortable as possible. This team approach helps reduce stress for everyone involved. It allows family members to focus on spending time with their loved ones instead of worrying about logistics. The presence of 30 volunteers suggests a strong commitment to providing extra companionship and support beyond just medical tasks.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should gather information before making a final decision. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to a request for help at night or on the weekend. This is a common concern for many families. Ask how often a nurse will visit the home. You should also ask how they manage pain when it changes suddenly. Finally, find out what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. These questions help you understand how they handle daily care. Knowing the answers will give you a clearer picture of their daily operations. Do not be afraid to ask for details about their team size or their experience with specific health conditions. You deserve to feel confident in the help you choose for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be kept safe for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
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