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CMS anticipates releasing later this summer the feedback it received on potential methodology changes to the overall hospital quality star ratings, the agency told AHA Today. CMS is convening a technical expert panel that will review and recommend next steps based on the feedback, a spokesperson said. The agency did not include refreshed star ratings in the Hospital Compare data preview reports for July.
 
“As CMS works with hospitals, consumers and other stakeholders to consider potential improvements to the Star Ratings, our priority remains ensuring Hospital Compare provides consumers with meaningful, easy-to-use information on hospital safety and quality that empowers them to make informed decisions about their care,” a CMS spokesperson said. “We realize the importance of this issue to hospitals and expect to have more information available later this summer.”
 
Ashley Thompson, AHA senior vice president of public policy analysis and development, said, “The AHA appreciates that CMS, as we have urged, is seeking further expert input on its star ratings methodology. We continue to believe that the agency must improve the accuracy and meaningfulness of star ratings before they are republished. We remain committed to working with CMS on our shared goal — providing patients and families with clear, valid and useful quality information to help them make health care decisions.”