The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has just launched “Nursing Home Compare” which provides quality ratings for each of the nation’s 16,000 Medicare and/or Medicaid-certified nursing homes. The rating system is a five-star system based on health inspection results, quality measures, and staffing levels and an overall rating is also provided. Visit the rating system here . CMS suggests using these ratings along with other information to get a true picture about any particular nursing home.
The nursing home industry may be concerned about the system. According to one article , the rating results are as follows:
About 22 percent of the nation’s nearly 16,000 nursing homes received the federal government’s lowest rating in a new five-star system unveiled Thursday, while 12 percent received the highest ranking possible.
792 nursing homes in Illinois have been rated here . Families should take into account this information before sending a loved one to any Illinois facility but also review other sources of information to determine the level of care and attention loved ones should receive.
