Navigating Care Compare Updates

What Providers Need to Know

 

On June 18, 2025, CMS issued QSO-25-20-NH, a memorandum to State Survey Agency Directors outlining significant updates to Nursing Home Care Compare aimed at improving transparency and enhancing performance measurement.

Key Highlights

• Chain-Level Performance Data
  For the first time, CMS will begin publishing aggregate performance metrics for nursing home chains in a consumer-friendly format on Care Compare.
• Health Inspection Rating Updates
  CMS will remove the third standard survey from the rating calculation, focusing only on the two most recent surveys.
  • Under the new weighting, the most recent standard survey = 75%
  • Second most recent standard survey = 25%
  • Weights for complaint and infection-control surveys continue to span a three-year period.
• Updated Long-Stay Antipsychotic Measure
  The quality measure tracking long-stay residents on antipsychotic medications will now incorporate Medicare and Medicaid claims data and encounter records, alongside existing MDS data. The intent is to improve measurement accuracy.
• Removal of COVID-19 Vaccination Data
  Resident and staff COVID-19 vaccination metrics will be removed from facility profiles on Care Compare.

 

Implementation Timeline

 

 

Implications for Providers

• Understand chain-level insight
  Aggregated chain data can influence consumer perception and benchmarking. Review how affiliation metrics reflect on your organization.
• Adjust focus to recent inspections
  With older survey data dropped, performance in recent inspections has heightened impact. Ensure corrective action plans are timely and visible.
• Prepare for antipsychotic measure changes
  Broader data inputs may alter reported rates. Reassess antipsychotic medication use through both clinical review and coding integrity.

 

Why This Matters Now

These changes mark a meaningful evolution in how performance is measured and communicated to consumers. By placing greater emphasis on current inspection outcomes and incorporating more comprehensive data sources, CMS aims to deliver more accurate, actionable insights. Providers who understand and adapt to the recalibrated system can maintain both compliance and transparency.

Proactively Tackle Changes

• Provide timely training on updated weightings and data sourcing.
• Strategically brief staff on chain-level data interpretation and implications.
• Use performance tracking tools to demonstrate improvement across inspection cycles.
• Communicate assets to help explain changes to residents and families.

 

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