The second round of quality of patient care 5-star star ratings is scheduled to be published Oct. 8 on the Home Health Compare website. But beware that there is an error with preview reports released in CASPER on June 30, CMS told agencies July 8 during its open door forum.
 
“Providers who have already downloaded and circulated these reports are urged to discard all copies,” a CMS release states. The reports can be recognized by the file name that ends “Star2_prvw_for_Oct2015.”
 
Replacement reports are expected to be distributed to providers’ CASPER shared folders by July 10 and will be available for 120 days — or until Nov. 6.  Users can recognize the revised reports by the file name that ends: “Star2REV_prvw_for_Oct2015.”
 
The revised version also includes the word “REVISED” in the initial title, and in the heading on the “scorecard” page.
 
Because CMS needed to revise the preview reports, the deadline for providers that want CMS to review their star rating for any possible errors or omissions was extended to July 24.
 
CMS said during the July 8 forum that 67% of agencies had the same rating in the second round as they had in the first round, while 32% of agencies had scores improve or worsen by half a star.
 
Questions about the reports can be directed to HomeHealthQualityQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.
 
HH CAHPS star ratings update
 
CMS plans to add star ratings for Home Health CAHPS measures beginning with the January 2016 public reporting period on Home Health Compare.
 
In September, meanwhile, CMS will conduct a dry run. Information on the star ratings and the preview reports will not be publicly reported on Home Health Compare.
 
Hospice CAHPS exemption reminder
 
CMS reminded small hospices that to be exempt from participation in the Hospice CAHPS survey, the hospices must submit the Participation Exemption for Size Form by Aug. 12.
 
For the 2015 data collection period, Medicare-certified hospices can apply for an exemption if they served fewer than 50 survey-eligible decedents/caregivers in 2014.
 
Exemptions on the basis of size are only active for one year, CMS notes. If a hospice meets exemption requirements in subsequent years, it will need to fill out the exemption form again.
 
CMS anticipates that its size exemption form for the 2016 data collection period will be available in January.
 
Other updates during CMS’ forum
  • Mark your calendars. The next home health, hospice and durable medical equipment open door forum will be held Aug. 12.
  • Hospice final rule expected soon. The public comment period for the 2016 proposed rule for hospices closed June 29, and the final rule is expected to be released on about Aug. 1. — Josh Poltilove (jpoltilove@decisionhealth.com)
Related links: Read more about the HHCAHPS Survey at http://bit.ly/1J2VxQx. Read more about the home health quality of patient care star ratings is available at http://go.cms.gov/1HON4no. Fill out the Hospice CAHPS survey size exemption at http://bit.ly/1LYmdYH.