What is a good HCI score for a hospice?

CMS does not publish an official good threshold. The scale runs from 0 to 10, and higher generally indicates stronger performance across the ten claims-based indicators, but it is meant for comparison between hospices rather than as a pass or fail certification.

What does it mean if a hospice has no CAHPS star rating?

It almost always means the hospice has not collected 75 completed surveys over the reporting period yet, not that its care quality is poor. This is especially common among smaller and newer hospices.

How often are CMS hospice ratings updated?

CAHPS star ratings update every other quarter. HCI scores follow CMS's regular claims-based reporting cycle. Check the reporting date on any profile to see the current period.

Can a hospice have a high HCI score and no CAHPS rating at the same time?

Yes, and it is common. HCI is claims-based, so almost every hospice has one. CAHPS requires 75 completed surveys to generate a star rating, which many smaller hospices have not reached.

How many completed surveys does a hospice need for a CAHPS star rating?

75 or more completed surveys over the reporting period for a star rating. Hospices with at least 30 completed surveys still get their underlying measure scores published, just without a rolled-up star rating.

Where can I verify a hospice's official CMS rating myself?

Directly on Medicare's Care Compare tool at medicare.gov/care-compare, the same public source Hospice Guidebook's data comes from.

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How to Read a Hospice's CMS Quality Ratings (HCI Score & CAHPS Stars)

Hospice Guidebook

Sep 2

0 min read

Updated: Sep 6