Search and Compare Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled the "Five Star Quality Rating System" on the Nursing Home Compare website on December 18, 2008. Nursing homes now receive an Overall Rating based on the facility performance of the three types of performance measures: Health Inspections, Staffing and Quality Measures. The Nursing Home Compare website now displays the star ratings for each of the three performance measures alongside the Overall Rating. Ratings range from 5 stars (much above average quality), 4 stars (above average quality), 3 stars (average quality), 2 stars (below average quality) and 1 star (much below average quality). Additional factors may be added to the scoring process at a later date.

Nursing home providers with questions regarding this rating system may call (800) 839-9290.

Consumers with questions regarding a particular nursing home's rating may call (800) MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227.

The information also includes:

• Inspection Results - deficiencies found during the most recent survey and complaint investigations
• Nursing Home Characteristics - number of beds, type of ownership
• Nursing Staff - average number of hours worked by nursing staff per resident per day
• Resident Characteristics - percent of residents with pressure sores, urinary incontinence, etc.