CMS postpones hospital star ratings update

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this week announced that the overall hospital quality star ratings on Hospital Compare will not be used in July.

CMS decided to postpone the July star ratings update to allow time for additional analysis of the impact of changes to some of the measures on the star ratings and to address stakeholder concerns.

CMS said it will seek feedback from a multi-disciplinary technical expert panel, a provider leadership workgroup and a public comment period. Prior to this announcement, the American Hospital Association raised questions to CMS regarding data in the star ratings preview reports.