CMS Updates Home Health Compare Website
CMS has updated its Home Health Compare website so that Medicare certified home health agencies can obtain their scores for nine quality outcome measures.
CMS last updated Home Health Compare outcome measures in April 2010 using data from the old OASIS-B1. This most recent update reflects OASIS-C data collected from April 2010 to March 2011, and incorporates an updated risk-adjustment model. The extended period without any updates allowed CMS enough time to collect sufficient data from OASIS-C, which was implemented in January 2010, to update its risk-adjustment model. CMS will release details on the model sometime in August.
While many of the outcomes on the list are similar to those previously reported on Home Health Compare, industry experts warn that providers should avoid drawing comparisons between the new and old outcomes, because the data are based on different criteria and patient characteristics.