CMS delays launch of new hospital star ratings

The Obama administration announced this week that it will delay releasing its new hospital quality rating measure just a day before its planned launch (Source: “Medicare Delays Plans For New Star Ratings On Hospitals After Congressional Pressure,” Kaiser Health News, April 20, 2016)

The new “overall hospital quality” star rating boils 62 of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ measures down into a unified rating of one to five stars, with five being the best.

But this month, 60 senators and 225 members of the House of Representatives signed letters urging CMS to delay releasing the star ratings. “We have heard from hospitals in our districts that they do not have the necessary data to replicate or evaluate CMS’ work to ensure that the methodology is accurate or fair,” the letter from the House members said.

In a notice sent Wednesday morning, CMS told Congress it would delay release of the star ratings on its Hospital Compare website until July. “CMS is committed to working with hospitals and associations to provide further guidance about star ratings,” the notice said. “After the star ratings go live in their first iteration, we will refine and improve the site as we work together and gain experience.”