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 August 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 screening99.7%
- Pain assessment95.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment94.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life52.5%
- All care steps completed93.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Baystate Hospice
Baystate Hospice serves the West Springfield area from its office on Capital Drive. This provider operates as a non-profit organization under the hospital system. They offer end-of-life care for patients in Hampden County and the surrounding region. They have provided these services since 1988.
Families often look for stability when choosing hospice care for a loved one. This provider has a long history of Medicare certification. Their team includes 28 registered nurses and 30 volunteers who support patients. They also have one licensed practical nurse and two physicians on staff. Having this many staff members available can help ensure that patient needs are met quickly. It is a large team for a local hospice provider.
About BAYSTATE HOSPICE
Baystate Hospice functions as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status means that any money made is put back into the organization. This is a common structure for hospital-based hospice programs. They have held Medicare certification for over 35 years. This long history shows they have followed federal quality rules for a long time.
Being part of a hospital system means they can share resources with other medical teams. This can be helpful if a patient has complex medical needs. You should know that their care team includes 58 total employees. These professionals work together to manage pain and provide comfort. The team is large enough to offer varied support during a difficult time. You can ask them how they coordinate care between their nurses and the hospital doctors. This helps keep everyone on the same page for the patient.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in WEST SPRINGFIELD?
Hospice care in West Springfield focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team comes to the home or a facility to see the patient. They manage symptoms so the patient can spend time with family. Most hospice care happens wherever the patient lives. This could be a private house or an assisted living center.
The team at Baystate Hospice uses their nurses and physicians to create a plan. They check on the patient often. And they adjust the plan if the patient needs more help with pain or other symptoms. You can expect them to explain every step of the process. They work to keep the patient calm and supported throughout the entire time. It is a team effort to make sure the patient stays comfortable and safe at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice requires asking the right questions. You need to be sure the team matches your family goals. Here are a few things to ask when you meet with a provider:
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one at home?
- Who do I call if I have a question in the middle of the night?
- What specific training does your staff have for this type of care?
- How does your team work with the family to handle stress?
Take your time with these questions. You deserve clear answers before you start care. Do not feel rushed to make a choice. A good provider will be happy to talk through these details with you until you feel ready.
Keep Family Stories Alive
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