CMS Updates Overall Hospital Star Ratings, Proposes Future Changes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently updated its overall hospital quality star ratings at Hospital Compare and proposed future changes to the star ratings methodology in response to stakeholder feedback. According to CMS, the proposed changes would make hospital comparisons more precise and consistent, and allow more direct “like-to-like” comparisons. One potential change would place hospitals with similar characteristics into “peer groups,” allowing small hospitals to be compared to other small hospitals instead of all hospitals, for example. CMS will accept comments on the proposed changes through March 29.