CareGrade™ OriginalMedicare Care Compare: Your Official Rating Tool for Nursing Homes
Medicare Care Compare (formerly Nursing Home Compare) is the official government tool for evaluating nursing homes, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. It's free, comprehensive, and contains data you won't find anywhere else.
What Is Medicare Care Compare?
Medicare Care Compare is a public tool run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that allows you to:
- Compare quality metrics for all Medicare-certified facilities
- View regulatory inspection reports and violations
- See staffing levels
- Review recent deficiencies
- Compare costs
Access it free at: care.cms.gov or Medicare.gov > Care Compare
Why You Should Use It
It's authoritative: CMS is the federal agency overseeing Medicare and nursing home regulation. Their data is official and comprehensive.
It's detailed: Data includes clinical quality, staffing, inspection history, complaint investigations, and more.
It's transparent: All facilities are rated using the same methodology, making comparison straightforward.
It's free: No cost, no registration required, no ads.
Key Information on Care Compare
Star Ratings (1–5 Stars)
Facilities receive overall ratings:
- 5 stars: Much better than average
- 4 stars: Better than average
- 3 stars: Average
- 2 stars: Below average
- 1 star: Much below average
Stars are based on:
- Health inspection results
- Staffing levels
- Quality measures
Important note: Stars are one metric, not everything. Read the details beneath the stars.
Health Inspection Results
Shows:
- Date of most recent inspection
- Type of inspection (routine, complaint-triggered, etc.)
- Number and type of deficiencies found
- Severity of deficiencies (Type A = most serious; Type C = least serious)
- Corrective action plans
What to focus on:
- Type A deficiencies (immediate danger to residents)
- Repeat deficiencies (pattern of problems)
- Complaint investigation results
Staffing Information
- RN hours per resident per day
- LPN/LVN hours per resident per day
- Nursing aide hours per resident per day
- Total nursing staff hours
Higher staffing generally = better care, though cost and facility size matter too.
Quality Measures
- Hospital readmission rates
- Bed sores (pressure ulcers)
- Restraint use
- Catheter use
- Low physical functioning
- Falls with major injury
- Antipsychotic medication use
These indicate quality of care and appropriate treatment.
Cost Information
- Average daily cost for Medicare patients
- Room-type availability
- Payment methods accepted
How to Use Care Compare
Step 1: Access the Tool
Go to care.cms.gov or Medicare.gov and look for "Care Compare" or "Nursing Home Compare."
Step 2: Search
- Enter facility name, or
- Enter ZIP code or city to see all facilities in an area
Step 3: Compare
View facilities side-by-side:
- Scroll through each facility's full profile
- Compare ratings, staffing, deficiencies
- Read health inspection details
Step 4: Investigate
For facilities you're seriously considering:
- Review inspection reports — Click "View Full Inspection History" to see detailed reports
- Check deficiencies — Understand what violations were found and whether they were corrected
- Look for patterns — Are the same problems cited repeatedly?
- Review complaints — See what families/residents complained about
- Compare staffing — Is staffing adequate for the census?
What Care Compare SHOWS
✓ Quality ratings and comparisons ✓ Staffing levels ✓ Inspection history and deficiencies ✓ Regulatory compliance ✓ Medicare cost data ✓ Basic amenities and services
What Care Compare DOESN'T Show
✗ Resident satisfaction (though complaint investigations show patterns) ✗ Subjective quality of life (warmth, atmosphere, engagement) ✗ Activities and programming details ✗ Visitor experiences ✗ Staff turnover rates ✗ Meal quality or food options ✗ Facility cleanliness (though health violations may indicate this)
Interpreting Star Ratings
A 5-star facility is not necessarily better than a 4-star facility.
Facilities are grouped into categories, and:
- Staffing shortages can lower stars even with good quality
- Recent staffing improvements may not be reflected yet
- Type of facility (small specialty home vs. large campus) affects comparisons
Focus on:
- Type A deficiencies (serious safety issues)
- Repeat deficiencies (pattern of problems)
- Staffing levels (can you staff adequately?)
- Quality metrics relevant to your situation
Red Flags to Watch For
- Multiple Type A deficiencies
- Repeat deficiencies (same issue cited more than once)
- High rates of hospital readmission
- Excessive restraint or medication use
- High pressure ulcer rates
- Very low staffing levels
- Recent large complaints or investigations
Beyond Care Compare
Care Compare is one tool. Also:
- Visit in person (announced and unannounced)
- Talk to residents and families about their experiences
- Ask specific questions about care and programming
- Check other ratings (CareGrade ratings, family reviews)
- Review state licensing (through your state's health department)
- Contact your state ombudsman (they investigate complaints)
State Ombudsman
Every state has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman who:
- Investigates complaints about facilities
- Advocates for residents
- Can provide facility-specific information
If you have concerns about a facility, contact your state ombudsman.
Using Care Compare With CareGrade
Care Compare gives you:
- Official regulatory data
- Inspection reports
- Staffing metrics
CareGrade gives you:
- Proprietary quality scoring
- Family feedback
- Community context
- Deeper analysis
Using both provides comprehensive evaluation.
The Bottom Line
Care Compare is the most authoritative source for objective facility data. Check it before visiting any nursing home or skilled nursing facility.
However, stars and inspection reports don't capture everything. Combine Care Compare data with in-person visits, family feedback, and your own instincts.
The best facility for your loved one combines good regulatory performance with a feeling of safety, warmth, and genuine care.