× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

Skip Navigation LinksAFL-08-40

State of Cal Logo
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 08-40
December 8, 2008


TO:
Skilled Nursing Facilities

SUBJECT:
Nursing Homes – Launching of Five Star Rating System on the Nursing Home Compare Website



On December 18, 2008 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will unveil the "Five Star Quality Rating System" on Nursing Home Compare. Nursing homes will receive an Overall Rating that is based on facility performance on three types of performance measures: Health Inspections, Staffing, and Quality Measures. Nursing Home Compare will also display the star ratings for each of the three performance measures alongside the Overall Rating. Nursing homes with five stars are considered to have much above average quality and nursing homes with one star are considered to have quality much below average.

Beginning the morning of December 16, 2008 nursing home providers will receive a preview of their individual rating via their electronic connection to their State servers for submission of Minimum Data Set data. Providers should check their mailboxes beginning December 16, 2008.

Please contact your local district office if you have any additional questions.

 

Sincerely,

Original Signed by Kathleen Billingsley, R.N.

Kathleen Billingsley, R.N.
Deputy Director

Page Last Updated :