May 22, 2012
The quality of care in U.S. nursing homes is improving, according to newly released federal health data. In evaluating the scores of 15,000 skilled nursing facilities across the country, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found that the proportion of 4- and 5-Star centers has increased 4% and 4.1%, respectively.
May 16, 2012
I recently asked a hospital discharge planner how she chooses which nursing home to discharge to. "Five-Star" was the reply. Was I surprised? Not at all. Once again, it demonstrates just how far this Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services consumer initiative reaches.
Providers can register concerns with and ask questions of regulators from Monday through next Friday on a nursing-home ratings hotline that is open only for five days every three months. Provider previews for a new batch of "Five-Star" system ratings were to be posted no later than today. The updated ratings will go live on the Nursing Home Compare website Thursday.
The Five-Star Quality Rating System devised by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services bears little relation to the actual views of residents, family members and staff at the facilities it ranks, according to a new study.
Some of nursing homes' heartiest advocates on Capitol Hill are against the healthcare reform law. Three such lawmakers addressed members at the American Health Care Association's annual briefing in Washington, D.C.
March 18, 2010
Long-term care advocates Wednesday applauded Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for acknowledging "inherent flaws" in the Five-Star Quality Rating System. The fourth annual McKnight's Online Expo will kick off March 24 with a webcast discussing issues related to nursing home quality.
January 29, 2010
A recent analysis by USA Today finds that one in five U.S. nursing homes consistently receive poor ratings for overall quality under the Five-Star Quality Rating System. Such news is not surprising to many in long-term care since the system predetermines that a certain percentage receive one-star ratings.
A new statistical analysis of the Five-Star Quality Rating System reveals some uneven results across the country.
Could things get any gloomier? I hate to be a pessimist, but when you look at the landscape--from Medicare and Medicaid cuts to the shortcomings of the Five-Star Quality Rating System--the hits to nursing homes just keep on coming.
October 06, 2009
Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association, Monday likened the problems facing long-term care to a "tsunami."
September 03, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services responded to a letter from 31 of the nation's state attorneys general who criticized the nursing home Five-Star Quality Rating System. In a statement, the agency expressed support for the highly controversial rating system for nursing homes, according to a news report.
August 28, 2009
A total of 31 state attorneys general sent a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. In the letter, they called for the suspension and revision of the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
The Five-Star Quality Ratings hotline has re-opened and will remain operational until July 30, federal healthcare regulators say. Directors at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said they are expecting an uptick in calls from providers since quarterly quality measure ratings are included in this month's updates. The hotline, which now operates only on a quarterly basis, will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Providers also can seek answers by e-mailing BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov. CMS sends Five-Star ratings updates each month to providers through their umbrella state sites supporting MDS information.
July 10, 2009
Federal regulators are meeting with nursing home operators and other key stakeholders today to discuss ways in which resident and family satisfaction surveys might be factored into the new facility Five-Star Quality Rating System.
July 06, 2009
Nursing homes have a difficult enough time contending with the survey and certification system. Now that the Five-Star Quality Rating System has begun, they have to work even harder to protect themselves against the faulty survey process.
