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ShareNSCIA Helps Navigate CMS Rating System to Find Quality Living Alternatives
NSCIA Resource Center Information Specialists can help you find quality living alternatives when fully independent living is not possible. The new 1-5 star rating system developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) helps shortcut families' searches for higher quality nursing home care where independent living is not an option.
Evaluation data is detailed and updated as often as monthly by CMS. The database of nursing homes and nursing & rehab facilities is searchable by name, state, county, city, or by distance from a certain zip code.Through public reporting (be aware that some data is self reported by the nursing homes themselves and should be viewed as such) and increased awareness by consumers, facilities will continue to advance the quality of the care they provide, resulting in better health outcomes for all. The CMS Nursing Home Compare five-star rating system program is part of a larger effort to improve the quality of healthcare in America. In the future, Medicare plans to work with other healthcare providers and consumers to make similar rating systems available for hospitals, home health agencies, and end-stage renal disease facilities.
This search tool is just one example of the types of resources provided to people with SCI/D every day by NSCIA Information Specialists. To reach Information Specialists at the NSCIA Resource Center call 1-800-962-9629 Monday-Friday, 9am-5 pm, or e-mail at info@spinalcord.org.