Nursing Home Data is Now a Mouse Click Away

CMS Nursing Home Quality Initiative - What You Should Know

	Selecting a quality nursing home for yourself or a loved one may have just become easier, thanks to a new nursing home initiative recently launched by the national Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The program is designed to improve the quality of care in nursing homes and provide consumers with information to help them make better decisions about nursing home care.  

	The initiative publicly reports nursing home performance on ten quality measures.  The nursing home quality data is available online and can be accessed by visiting www.medicare.gov and then clicking Nursing Home Compare.  A copy of the data is also available to those who call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

	Consumers can search the site by state, city, county or zip code to compare nursing homes throughout the country on specific quality measures including residents' ability to walk and perform basic daily tasks.  Caregivers can compare the quality of care at different homes in a specific area and review state inspection reports, staffing and affordability information.

	Because it is important to use as many sources of information as possible when evaluating nursing homes, the site encourages consumers to visit facilities, contact their physician and also provides resources including the Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home and the Nursing Home Checklist. 

	MissouriPRO is the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization responsible for implementing the nursing home initiative in Missouri.  Visit our website at www.mpcrf.org.

(MO-02-37-NH, December 2002 - This material was prepared by MissouriPRO under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.)