CMS assigns nursing homes an overall one-to-five-star rating and separate ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Use the component ratings to identify questions and compare facilities, but combine them with current inspection details, needed services, and an in-person visit.
The overall rating summarizes three different domains
The overall rating combines health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. A single overall number is convenient, but two facilities with the same overall rating can have very different strengths and risks. Always open the component scores.
Each component answers a different question
- Health inspections summarize findings from state survey inspections and complaint investigations.
- Staffing reflects reported nursing staffing information adjusted under the CMS methodology.
- Quality measures summarize selected resident outcomes and care processes for short- and long-stay residents.
- The overall rating combines the domains under CMS’s published methodology rather than averaging the three numbers directly.
Ratings are a starting point, not a guarantee
CMS cautions that no rating system captures every factor. Ratings do not replace checking current bed availability, specialty services, staff communication, travel distance, resident experience, recent ownership changes, and what you observe during a visit.
Frequently asked questions
What does a five-star nursing home rating mean?
A five-star rating indicates performance classified by CMS as much above average under its Five-Star methodology. It does not guarantee that the facility is the right fit for every patient.
Which CMS nursing home rating matters most?
Review all four: overall, health inspection, staffing, and quality measures. The most relevant concerns depend on the patient’s needs and the facility’s recent history.
How often are CMS nursing home ratings updated?
CMS publishes updated Care Compare data on a recurring schedule. Check the source date shown on the directory page and confirm current details on Medicare Care Compare.
Sources and coverage details
Use these sources to check the coverage rules and background information. Your provider and plan must confirm what applies to your care.
How we source and maintain this directory