Revisions to Home Health Star Rating

LeadingAge NY previously reported that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was planning to add a “star” rating to Home Health Compare (HHC) that will be a summary of some of the current measures of home health care provider performance. We reported on the Open Door Forums (ODF) held in December and February; the recordings and transcripts from those calls can be found here.

In addition to the transcripts, CMS posted an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document, which addresses the issues raised in the comments that CMS has received to date. The FAQs cover general questions, eligibility, measures that contribute to the star ratings, methodology, implementation and possible impacts of the star ratings. Please note on page four, Q3, that CMS has amended the methodology as a result on Feb. 5 ODF by removing the Pneumococcal vaccine ever received measure. On page six, Q1, CMS states the first reporting of the HHC Star Ratings is targeted for July 2015 and providers will have an opportunity to see their HHC star rating when a preview report is posted in their CASPER folder around the end of March. Providers will also be able to request review of the rating by CMS if they submit evidence that the data used to calculate the measures were inaccurate or incomplete to the extent that their HHC Star Rating was affected. Question two on page seven, outlines what providers need to do if they think the information is inaccurate or missing data. This may lead to suppressing the HHC Star Rating for one reporting period, while corrections are being made. Please review the sample to see the provider preview report, and again, note on the last page the specific information that needs to be submitted "If Your Rating Isn't What You Think It Should Be."

To prepare for the HHC Star Rating rollout, LeadingAge NY home health members can access the new Home Health Quality Metrics data tool to preview their measures. Click here for more information.

CMS is sponsoring a webinar to review the format of the report and the process for requesting review of the HHC Star rating this Thurs., March 26, 2015 at 1 p.m. To register for this webinar, please use this link: https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000055450/Registration.aspx?pageName=h1m25cfj95z4zdq0

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871 or Linda Spokane, lspokane@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 123