PATHWAYS HEALTHCARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 101 STATION DRIVE, SUITE 240
WESTWOOD, MA 02090 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 24, 2022
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
14
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 PATHWAYS HEALTHCARE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PATHWAYS HEALTHCARE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 24th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
118
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 day9.9 min
Ranks better than about 24% 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 weekends7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 life87.8%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 visits52.1%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care10.6%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 months27.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 care5.7%
Ranks better than about 58% 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%
Ranks better than about 25% 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$20,066 · 61st 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 58.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening89.3%
- Pain assessment86%
- Breathing difficulty screening88.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment71.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed98.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed94.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids77.8%
- Visits in the last days of life58.5%
- All care steps completed63.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer11%
- Dementia35%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions15%
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 Westwood
Pathways Healthcare provides hospice services to families throughout Westwood, Massachusetts. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Their team works right in the community to ensure patients get the support they need where they feel most at home. That is a big deal when you are trying to keep things calm and peaceful. Whether at a private home or a local facility, their goal is to manage symptoms so patients can spend more time with their loved ones. It is about making every day count. They bring medical, emotional, and spiritual help directly to your door. This local focus helps them build strong ties with the people they serve in Norfolk County. When you need help, having a team nearby makes a real difference in how quickly they can respond to your needs.
About PATHWAYS HEALTHCARE
Pathways Healthcare operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They earned their Medicare certification on January 24, 2022. This means they meet the strict federal rules for safety and care quality. For families, this certification is a sign that the government monitors their performance. It is a baseline for trust. You should know that for-profit providers often bring a business-like efficiency to their care plans. The thing is, every hospice must follow the same Medicare rules regardless of their tax status. Choosing a provider is a deeply personal decision. You want to look for a team that aligns with your family's values. They are located at 101 Station Drive, Suite 240. You can reach them at (617) 481-9077 to ask about their specific approach to care. Getting your questions answered early can help ease your mind. It is your right to interview them before you make any decisions.
Top-Tier Quality Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in WESTWOOD
Hospice is a special kind of care for people who are near the end of life. It does not mean giving up. Instead, it shifts the focus to pain relief and emotional support. In Westwood, families have access to several options, but finding the right fit is key. The thing to remember is that hospice provides a team. You get a nurse, a social worker, and often a spiritual counselor. They all work together to support the patient and the entire family. Many people wait too long to call hospice. The truth is, you can start care as soon as a doctor says the life expectancy is six months or less. Getting help early means more time for the team to build a relationship. It also means better symptom control from the start. So, do not feel like you have to do this alone. Help is available right now.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big step. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Here are a few things to ask during your first call. First, ask how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You want someone who is ready to act at 2:00 AM if things change. Second, ask how they handle pain management. Every good hospice should have a clear plan for keeping patients comfortable. Third, ask about their volunteer services. Volunteers can offer a break for tired family members, which is a huge help. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs to go to a hospital. You need to know how they handle transitions to higher levels of care. These answers will help you see if they are the right fit. Trust your gut. If you feel heard, that is a very good sign.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. Recording these memories is a beautiful way to honor their legacy and provide comfort for generations to come.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.