According to a new report in Modern Healthcare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may have miscalculated its star-rating formula for hospitals and medical centers. Experts at Rush University believe the methodology used to calculate each facility’s rating is flawed, with one measure group disproportionately influencing scores and causing them to drop as much as two star levels. In response, CMS has postponed its upcoming the release of its latest round of rankings, which had been scheduled for July.
As a standard setting organization, the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) understands the challenge of establishing valid, reliable, and meaningful measures. And though we strive to continually improve our assessment methods and enhance the quality of the information we provide to patients, you won’t see any “five-star” or “two-star” board-certified ophthalmologists. The ABO believes patients are best-served when they have access to credible, verifiable information about the competence and achievements of eye physicians so the public can make well-informed decisions about their care. As evidenced in the story linked above, ratings and ranking systems may simplify public reporting, but they don’t always tell the full story.