AHCA has analyzed the new CMS Five-Star data published on Nursing Home Compare on August 10, 2016. Among VHCA member nursing centers, 79 percent saw no change in their ratings; 4 percent gained one star and 16 percent lost one star. Click here for all the details about the impact of the Five-Star changes in Virginia.

The data reflects new metrics and methodological changes that expand the Quality Measure (QM) component of the system. As a result of these changes, the QM and Overall Five-Star ratings for some skilled nursing care centers changed.

A snapshot of the impact on skilled nursing care centers nationwide is as follow:

Overall rating change between June and July 2016:

• 7 percent net decrease in distribution of ratings79 percent or 12,299 did not change
• 14 percent or 2,103 lost one or more stars
• 8 percent or 1,092 gained one or more stars

QM rating change between June and July 2016:

• 16 percent net decrease in distribution of ratings
• 61 percent or 9,385 did not change
• 27 percent or 4,238 lost one or two stars
• 12 percent or 1,833 gained one or two stars

Click here for a detailed breakdown of the above snapshot.

AHCA will be updating LTC Trend Tracker with the new data which will allow members to run reports that capture the latest Five-Star and QM rates.

Visit the Five-Star achancalED website here to access the recorded AHCA Five-Star webinar from July 28, 2016, and download the following resources:

• CMS Technical Users’ Guide
• Q&As from July 28 Five-Star Webinar
• Member center toolkit for communicating change in ratings to different groups:
  • Suggested talking points
  • Template media statement
  • Template letter to families
  • Sample letter to payors