The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the Care Compare website at Medicare.gov to help consumers choose a home health care provider. One of the key features of Care Compare is the home health star ratings, which summarize provider performance measures to assist consumers in making informed healthcare decisions. These star ratings are based on transparent calculations using input from stakeholders and ongoing data analysis.
Types of Home Health Star Ratings
There are two types of home health star ratings: Quality of Patient Care (QoPC) Star Ratings and Patient Survey Star Ratings.
The QoPC Star Rating is based on OASIS assessments and Medicare claims data, while the Patient Survey Star Rating is based on the Home Health CAHPS Survey. Both ratings are updated quarterly to reflect the most recent data available on Care Compare.
Details about Quality of Patient Care Star Ratings
To receive a Quality of Patient Care Star Rating, Medicare-certified Home Health Agencies (HHAs) must have reported data for at least 5 of the 7 measures used in the calculation. These measures include timely initiation of care, improvement in ambulation, improvement in bed transferring, improvement in bathing, improvement in shortness of breath, improvement in management of oral medications, and acute care hospitalization.
HHAs also receive Provider Preview reports about 3.5 months before the ratings are posted on Care Compare. This allows agencies to review their ratings and request a review if they believe there has been a calculation error.
Details about Patient Survey Star Ratings
Patient Survey Star Ratings are based on patient experience of care measures. To receive a Patient Survey Star Rating, HHAs must have 40 or more completed surveys over a four-quarter reporting period. HHAs with fewer than 40 completed surveys will still have their HHCAHPS data publicly reported but will not receive star ratings.
Like the Quality of Patient Care Star Ratings, HHAs receive Provider Preview reports before the ratings are posted on Care Compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are the home health star ratings calculated?
A: The home health star ratings are calculated using a transparent development process that involves input from stakeholders and ongoing data analysis.
Q: What measures are included in the Quality of Patient Care star ratings?
A: The Quality of Patient Care star ratings include measures such as timely initiation of care, improvement in ambulation, improvement in bed transferring, improvement in bathing, improvement in shortness of breath, improvement in management of oral medications, and acute care hospitalization.
Q: What measures are included in the Patient Survey star ratings?
A: The Patient Survey star ratings include measures such as care of patients, communication between providers and patients, specific care issues, and overall rating of care provided by the home health agency.
For more information about the home health star ratings, including sample preview reports and methodology, visit the Provider Data Catalog. You can also submit any questions or comments to homehealthqualityquestions@cms.hhs.gov.
Conclusion
The home health star ratings on the Care Compare website provide consumers with an additional tool to evaluate the quality of home health care providers. These ratings are based on transparent calculations and input from stakeholders to ensure accuracy and relevance. Whether you’re seeking information about the quality of patient care or the patient experience, the star ratings offer valuable insights to help you make informed healthcare decisions.
