CMS established the Home Health Compare website as a tool for consumers to use when choosing a home health care provider, similar to the nursing home compare website. Its purpose was to be an easy-to-access, convenient source of authoritative information on provider quality. CMS is planning to add a new tool to Home Health Compare in order to make the information there easier to use – a “star” rating. The roll-out of this new five star rating is scheduled for July 2015. The star rating is hoped to be an additional tool to support consumers’ health care decisionmaking.

As a reminder, the first forum was held in December to present the proposed methodology for calculating the five star rating and ask for stakeholder input. The transcript and audio file can be found here. After this call, the home health rating methodology was updated as of Fri., Jan. 30. Click here for more information. CMS posted the HHC Star rating FAQ, which was updated on Mon., Jan. 26.

As a result of the forum last week, there still remains numerous concerns with rolling out this new tool. Please note that CMS did not propose this in the Federal Register, but instead scheduled conference calls requesting stakeholder input throughout the process as to make some adjustments accordingly. CMS will continue to seek input until this Fri., Feb 13. 

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871