Does a Higher Hospital Rating Mean Better Care?

Hospital ratings and rankings are widely available, but do they truly predict the quality of care you'll receive? The answer is nuanced — ratings provide valuable information, but they tell only part of the story.

The Evidence: Do Ratings Correlate With Outcomes?

Research shows that hospital ratings do correlate with measurable outcomes in several areas:

• Higher-rated hospitals tend to have: Lower mortality rates for common conditions, fewer surgical complications, lower infection rates, and higher patient satisfaction
• CMS star ratings specifically: Studies have found that hospitals with higher overall star ratings generally have better outcomes across multiple quality measures
• Volume matters: Hospitals that perform more of a particular procedure often have better outcomes, which is partially reflected in ratings

Where Ratings Fall Short

However, ratings have important limitations:

• Not procedure-specific: An overall rating doesn't tell you how well a hospital performs your specific procedure
• Data lag: Ratings reflect data from 1-3 years ago, not current performance
• Methodology disagreements: Different rating systems sometimes rank the same hospital very differently
• Not all care is equal: A hospital may be excellent for cardiac care but average for orthopedics
• Patient mix effects: Despite risk adjustment, hospitals treating sicker patients may appear to perform worse
• Missing context: Ratings don't capture your individual circumstances, doctor expertise, or the specific care you need

How to Use Ratings Wisely

• Start with your condition: Look at measures specific to the care you need, not just the overall rating
• Use multiple sources: Compare CMS stars, Leapfrog grades, and specialty-specific data
• Talk to your doctor: Your physician's recommendation considers factors ratings cannot capture
• Consider the whole picture: Location, insurance network, available specialists, and your doctor's privileges all matter
• Don't ignore red flags: A hospital rated "worse than the national average" on multiple measures warrants careful consideration

The Bottom Line

Hospital ratings are a useful starting point for research, but they should be one factor among many in your decision. The "best" hospital for you depends on your specific medical needs, your physicians, your insurance, your location, and the particular measures most relevant to your care.

Compare hospitals and explore detailed quality data at Medicare Care Compare.

Data sourced from CMS. Visit Medicare Care Compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE for hospital quality information.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.