Medicare today unveiled its 5 star rating system for nursing homes. 1 star means much below average. 2 stars means below average. 3 stars means average. 4 stars means above average. 5 stars means much above average.
The overall star rating considers health inspections, staffing and quality measures. What does this mean for the consumer? It is a good thing because it will be easier to evaluate and compare nursing homes. For example, HCR Manor Care is a for-profit organization based in Ohio. It owns and operates nursing homes throughout the country. Twelve are in Maryland. Ten of those twelve nursing homes are rated below average or much below average. Medicare considers one home, Manor Care Rossville, a special focus facility. This means that the facility has a persistent history of poor quality care and is subject to more frequent inspections and monitoring.
This is vital information that you must have if a loved one needs care in a nursing home. Too often, families become aware of deficiencies in care only after a loved one has been injured. I see this often in my law practice. I am glad that families now have a helpful way to get needed information about the quality of care in nursing homes.
