CMS Revises Two Memos Regarding Updates to Nursing Home Care Compare & Five Star

CMS; Five-Star Rating System
 
Published:September 16, 2025
Amy Miller
​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released two revised memos pertaining to the Five Star Quality Rating System and Nursing Home Care Compare:
 
  • QSSAM-25-1-ALL – Temporary Pause in Nursing Home Care Compare Updates was revised to note CMS will make updates to Care Compare with the September 24, 2025, refresh based in findings from Payroll-based Journal (PBJ) and schizophrenia coding audits and schizophrenia coding audits, and Special Focus Facility (SFF) status. Previously, the memo announced a full freeze on the Five-Star.  
  • QSO-25-20-NH – Updates to Nursing Home Care Compare has been revised to expand the timeline for incorporating the updated long-stay antipsychotic measure from October 2025 to January 2026. 
Questions may be directed to regulatory@ahca.org.