Changes to the Five-Star rating system on Nursing Home Compare went live on April 24. The changes reflect several significant updates to all three components of the system – survey, staffing and quality. Remember: the latest star ratings cannot be compared to ratings prior to April 2019 because the “goal posts” have moved and are just different. AHCA has prepared a toolkit to help you answer questions from residents, families, and payors if you center lost a star.

Visit the ahcancalED Five-Star webpage for resources including:

• Five-Star Talking Points (for member centers that lose a star)
• Template Media Statement
• Template Letter to Families
• Template Letter to Payors/ Referral Sources

In addition, AHCA has several tools to help members continue to improve. AHCA/NCAL’s LTC Trend Tracker is a one-stop-shop that allows members to gain timely information and valuable insight about their own performance as well as the entire profession’s, including reports that capture Five-Star and Quality Measure (QM) rates. 

For any additional questions on the new Five-Star ratings, please email research@ahca.org.