Success in Home Health Star Ratings: An Overview

Presented by Tina Marrelli and Kim Corral

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Video Runtime: 25 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 38 Minutes

As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to emphasize quality and transparency in healthcare, understanding and improving Home Health Star Ratings has become essential for clinicians and organizations alike. This foundational course introduces the CMS Star Ratings program, focusing on two critical components: the Quality of Patient Care (QoPC) and the Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey. Participants will gain clarity on how their everyday clinical actions impact both performance scores and public perception. Designed for professionals across disciplines—nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists—this course equips learners with practical strategies to improve patient outcomes and elevate organizational performance in home health. Through interactive content, real-world examples, and expert insights, learners will leave with a stronger understanding of how to meaningfully contribute to their agency’s success in star ratings.

Learning Objectives

Define the purpose of the CMS Home Health Star Ratings program
Identify the two key elements of the CMS Home Health Star Ratings program: Quality of Patient Care (QoPC) and the Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey
Highlight the relationship between care practices and the public reporting of CMS Star Ratings
Recognize actionable operational practices that support the effective use of star ratings data

Meet your instructors

Smiling woman in blue blazer and white top stands against a white background, suitable for medbridge healthcare marketing.

Tina Marrelli

Tina Marrelli is the president of Marrelli and Associates, Inc., a publishing and consulting firm working in home care for more than 30 years. Tina is the author of 13 books, including the Handbook of Home Health Standards: Quality, Documentation, and Reimbursement (6th edition, 2018). Other books include A Guide…

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Woman with brown hair, glasses, and a grey blazer smiles, representing medbridge's digital healthcare and hybrid care professionalism.

Kim Corral

Kim is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in education and more than 30 years of home health experience. She is an experienced leader in home healthcare, having held both clinical and operational positions at regional and national levels for large corporate home health organizations. She brings a passion for providing…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. What Are Star Ratings, and What Is My Role?

This chapter explores the history, purpose, and structure of the CMS Home Health Star Ratings system. Learners will discover how star ratings are used by patients and other stakeholders and understand their own role in influencing these scores through intentional, quality care practices.

2. Quality of Patient Care Measures: What They Are and Where They Come From

This chapter breaks down the seven Quality of Patient Care (QoPC) measures, including both process and outcome indicators. Participants will learn how these metrics are derived from OASIS and claims data and examine the direct relationship between clinical care practices and QoPC ratings.

3. Patient Survey Measures: What They Are and Where They Come From

Focusing on the HHCAHPS Survey, this chapter explains how patient experiences are quantified through composite and global measures. Clinicians will gain insight into how aspects such as communication, responsiveness, and professionalism influence patient-reported outcomes and, ultimately, organizational star ratings.

4. Summary and Where Do We Go From Here?

The final chapter summarizes the impact of high star ratings on organizational outcomes, including reputation, competitiveness, finances, regulatory compliance, and staff morale. Learners will hear from industry leaders and explore how education and strategic practice improvements can sustain high-quality care and drive long-term success.

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