The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has just launched “Nursing Home Compare” which provides quality ratings for each of the nation’s 16,000 Medicare and/or Medicaid-certified nursing homes. The rating system is a five-star system based on health inspection results, quality measures, and staffing levels and an overall rating is also provided. Visit the rating system here. CMS suggests using these ratings along with other information to get a true picture about any particular nursing home.

The nursing home industry may be concerned about the system. According to one article, the rating results are as follows:

About 22 percent of the nation’s nearly 16,000 nursing homes received the federal government’s lowest rating in a new five-star system unveiled Thursday, while 12 percent received the highest ranking possible.

792 nursing homes in Illinois have been rated here. Families should take into account this information before sending a loved one to any Illinois facility but also review other sources of information to determine the level of care and attention loved ones should receive.