5-Star Rating System

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has contracted with the University of Michigan KECC to create and implement a Star Quality Rating System for dialysis facilities. The Star Quality Ratings will be displayed on the CMS Care Compare Website as part of a plan to make quality information more easily available to health care consumers and other key audiences (e.g., providers and policymakers) for all Compare sites. The goal is to increase consumer knowledge, understanding, and satisfaction with the Compare sites.

The Star Rating System includes nine DFC quality measures assessing patient health outcomes and processes of care for ESRD dialysis patients. Facilities with 5 stars are considered to deliver care that is above average quality and those with 1 star are considered to deliver care that is rated below average quality when compared to other dialysis facilities in the nation.

Read this overview to learn more.

View the Star Rating System Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.