FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RATES NURSING HOMES

Sach Oliver

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 436

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According to the associated press December 28, 2008, around 22 percent of the nation’s nearly 16,000 nursing homes received the federal government’s lowest rating, while 12 percent received the highest ranking possible. This information is a compilation of data that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s Agency obtained from three years of inspections of nursing homes. The reason for the new rating system is to make the data easier for patients and families to be able to evaluate a nursing home.

Under the new system, five stars means a nursing home ranks “much above average,” four star indicates “above average,” three means “about average,” two is “below average” with a one indicating “much below average.” The rankings are updated quarterly and of course the industry is already questioning their validity. This is also a way to get those nursing homes that have the lowest rating to improve the care they provide.

Our firm wants to assist our clients and the public with as much information as possible in order to make an informed decision regarding the care of loved ones. If you are researching nursing home facilities you may obtain additional information at Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare Web site: http://Medicare.gov/NHcompare.