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How to read home health star ratings
Care Compare is the official place to compare Medicare-certified home health agencies. Here is how to use it without over-reading a single number.
The short answer
Care Compare rates agencies on a 5-star scale, including a patient survey rating based on the HHCAHPS survey. Use ratings together with other quality information. An agency with no rating may simply not have enough surveys yet.
Where to look
Search for home health agencies by ZIP code on Medicare Care Compare. Each agency page shows services offered, quality measures and star ratings when enough data exists.
The patient survey rating
The patient survey star rating comes from the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) survey, which asks current or recently discharged patients, or their family, about their experience (Medicare.gov). It is a national standard, so agencies can be compared fairly.
Reading the stars carefully
Medicare advises using the patient survey rating along with other quality information. A 1-star rating does not mean a patient will receive poor care. It means other agencies performed better on that particular measure.
Agencies with no rating
An agency may show no rating because it did not have enough surveys to calculate one in a meaningful way. Medicare says this does not mean something is wrong with the agency. Newer agencies are in this position until enough patients have completed surveys.
OceanCare Health will link to our Care Compare listing once our data is published. Until then, ask us about our processes, staffing and how we measure quality.
Questions
Quick answers
How often do ratings change?
CMS updates Care Compare data periodically. Check the date shown on the agency page.
Sources
General information only. This article is not medical, legal or coverage advice. Talk with your physician about your care. In an emergency, call 911. Please do not send patient health information through this website.
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