Dialysis Facility Compare and Star Ratings

Based on their proposed methodology and stakeholder comments, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized the methodology for its Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) Star Rating program. CMS is releasing previews of the ratings to individual Medicare-participating dialysis facilities, which will then have 15 days to review their ratings. CMS expects to post ratings to Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) in January 2015.

CMS presented the DFC Star Rating methodology earlier this year, and provided a 30-day preview period during which dialysis facilities had the opportunity to review their ratings. Although originally slated to be released in October, CMS postponed the release until January 2015 in response to stakeholder concerns. The posted star ratings will use the data previewed by facilities during the July 2014 preview period, and this data will be updated on an annual basis beginning in Oct. 2015.

As noted, CMS is providing all Medicare-participating dialysis facilities a 15 day preview period. Facilities will have the opportunity to submit questions about their ratings if they believe their ratings are inaccurate. In addition to the star ratings, updated data on individual DFC measures will be posted simultaneously in January 2015 as part of the ongoing quarterly refresh schedule.

The CMS fact sheet on the DFC was posted on Nov. 7. Questions or comments about the quarterly Dialysis Facility Compare preview reports and the DFC Star Ratings can be submitted to dialysisdata@med.umich.edu. The deadline for comments during the preview period is Nov. 24, 2014.

Contact: Patrick Cucinelli, pcucinelli@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8827