CMS Introduces "Five-Star" Rating System

VHCA (6/20/2008)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced the "Five-Star" rating system, intended to measure quality care in skilled nursing facilities.  The "five-star" system will give each nursing facility a rating from one to five stars based on staffing, quality measures and survey results.  Additional information about the quality rating system and its progress will be available after June 22, 2008 on the CMS “Hot Topics” webpage. In a press release the American Health Care Association (AHCA) urged caution regarding the new program, stating that although they support a quality index, any system that relies heavily on survey data can not accurately assess quality in any one facility.  AHCA also emphasized that one of the keys to improving the collaborative process between providers and regulatory authorities is expanding the concept of transparency beyond just facilities to include the survey and enforcement process itself and to incorporate consumer and staff satisfaction. 

This will be the first time that CMS will offer such a rating system for the fee-for-service, or traditional Medicare program.  The ratings will be posted on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare website by the end of this year.  A sample screen shot of the proposed star ratings is available on the CMS website.  During June and July 2008 the agency is soliciting ideas, comments, and suggestions from the public, consumer groups, nursing facilities, and many others.  Comments may be sent to BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov.  AHCA will be developing formal comments to provide to CMS. 

More information about the CMS' plan, and details on the June 24, 2008 Open Door Forum regarding the "Five-Star" system, are available here.