Medicare is creating a rating system to compare Home Health Care, Hospital Care, and Dialysis Care. Currently, there is a Skilled Nursing Facility rating system and a Physician Compare.
Medicare Star Rating System
Beginning in late 2014/early 2015 Medicare will kick off its star rating system to better help you choose which hospital, home health care, and dialysis care is best for you. CMS states, “These ratings are based on established scientific standards of rigor and accuracy.” This is really important when planning for your retirement healthcare.
Home Health Care vs Skilled Nursing Facility
Besides the obvious difference of one is at home and one is at a facility, there are a few other differences. Usually home health care is meant for those who do not need daily supervised care, therefore Original Medicare doesn’t charge you for home health care. Whereas you receive the first 20 days at a Skilled Nursing Facility at no cost (after your hospital deductible is met) but after that you pay $152 a day for the next 80 days.
Other Rating Systems
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D already have a five star rating system in place. The benefit of this is if you don’t like your plan you don’t have to wait till open enrollment if you choose a 5-star plan to switch to.
For questions about rating systems or for updates to when the rating systems will begin call the number above or contact Senior65.com.