The number of agencies achieving five stars in the quality of care ratings dropped slightly in the October 2019 refresh of Home Health Compare.
 
While this isn't the first time it's happened, typically the number increases quarter over quarter.
 
CMS data show 641 agencies nationwide earned five stars in the ratings system involving quality of care, according to the ratings released Oct. 30, 2019. That’s a decrease of 31 agencies from July 2019.
 
Number of agencies by quality of care star rating
Star rating
Number of agencies, October 2019
Number of agencies, July 2019
Number of agencies, May 2019
Number of agencies, January 2019
5 stars
641
672
658
512
4.5 stars
1,004
978
958
997
4 stars
1,285
1,263
1,310
1,324
3.5 stars
1,506
1,490
1,483
1,611
3 stars
1,378
1,450
1,512
1,586
2.5 stars
1,179
1,170
1,141
1,260
2 stars
854
868
909
964
1.5 stars
552
529
517
377
1 star
104
118
110
43
Source: Home Health Compare