When choosing a skilled nursing or rehabilitation community you need clear, reliable information so you can make a decision based on facts, not guesswork. The Care Compare tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offers exactly that. This free online resource brings together important details about Medicare-certified providers in one place. You can quickly see how communities stack up in safety, staffing, and quality of care. If you’re planning ahead or reacting to a health change, using Care Compare can help you find nearby communities that meet your unique needs.
RELATED READING: What is Skilled Nursing?
RELATED READING: Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing?
Step-By-Step Guide to Using Care Compare
Step 1: Visit the Care Compare Website
Go to Medicare.gov/Care-Compare. You’ll see a list of provider types in the left-hand column. Choose “Nursing Homes including Rehab Services.”
Step 2: Enter Your Location
In the search bars, type in your city, state, or ZIP code. If you want to be close to home, a hospital, or your doctor, use that specific address. You can also search for a specific community name. Once you enter your information, click the search button.
Step 3: Refine Your Search (Optional)
You can filter your results by distance, star rating, inspections, quality measures, number of beds, or other location details. You can also sort the list by proximity or rating.
Step 4: Review Search Results List
The communities appear in rows showing key details, including address, overall star rating, address, and phone number. The map feature makes it easy to see the location of each provider.
Step 5: Understand the Star Ratings
Communities receive ratings in three categories:
- Health inspections: Results from the last two inspections and three years of complaint investigations. Fewer citations usually indicate stronger performance.
- Staffing: Measures the hours of nursing care per resident per day, as well as staff turnover. Higher staffing and lower turnover generally mean more consistent care.
- Quality measures: Data on both short- and long-stay residents, such as rates of rehospitalization, pain management, and vaccination.
Each category has its own star rating, along with an overall rating. Five stars means well above average; one star means below average.
Step 6: Read Each Community’s Detailed Report
Click on a provider’s name to open its complete profile. This is where you’ll find in-depth information to help you compare quality and safety across communities, including:
- Dates and results of the most recent health inspections: Shows how the community performed during annual state inspections and whether inspectors found any issues.
- Complaints and infection control inspection: The health inspection section also reports the number of resident/family complaints made in the past three years that resulted in an additional inspection, as well as the number and results of any infection control inspections.
- Staffing hours for registered nurses, licensed nurses, and nurse aides: Helps you see if staffing levels and turnover are above or below state and national averages, which can affect the quality and consistency of care.
- Number of penalties and citations: When a community receives a health or fire safety citation, or doesn’t fix a problem, it can face a penalty. This might be a fine or a loss of Medicare payments.
- Quality measure breakdowns for short- and long-term care: Provides data on resident health outcomes, such as rates of falls, hospital readmissions, and vaccination rates.
- Dates and results of the most recent fire safety and emergency preparedness inspections: Confirms whether the community meets safety standards for fire prevention and has plans in place for emergencies.
- Number of Medicare-certified beds: Shows the community’s size and capacity to serve residents with Medicare coverage.
- Ownership details: Lists whether the community is privately owned, non-profit, or part of a larger chain, which can give context on policies and resources.
- Map with directions prompt: Offers a quick way to plan your visit and see how close the community is to family, friends, or healthcare providers.
The tool provides both state and national average comparisons for each quality measure and inspection results. This information offers you context for how each community performs.
RELATED READING: Federal Regulations on Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Communities
Step 7: Compare Communities Side-by-Side
While viewing the list, you can select up to three providers by clicking the “Compare” box on each card and then clicking the “Compare” button at the top of the screen. This lets you view their ratings and details side-by-side, which is especially helpful for narrowing your list.
Step 8: Use the Information as Part of a Bigger Picture
While Care Compare is a powerful starting point, it’s essential to supplement the information with other research, including:
- Review each community’s website and marketing materials.
- Visit each community in person.
- Talk to your doctor or hospital discharge planner.
- Ask detailed questions about care, safety, and amenities during your tour.
- Ask for resident testimonials.
- Review online family and resident satisfaction surveys.
RELATED READING: What to Expect During a Senior Living Tour
RELATED READING: Researching Resident and Family Satisfaction Scores in Senior Living
Care Compare Can Help You Make An Informed Decision
Choosing the right skilled nursing or rehabilitation community can have a direct impact on your recovery, safety, and quality of life. Care Compare exists to make your choice easier. This free, public tool gives you access to the same quality and safety data that federal and state regulators use. When you match your needs with a provider’s strengths, you’re more likely to have a positive care experience.
This transparency also encourages communities to maintain high standards. Because performance data is public, providers become motivated to improve safety, staffing, and quality to protect their reputation, which can give you even more peace of mind.
Care Compare turns a process that can feel uncertain into one grounded in facts. When paired with in-person tours, it offers you a reliable foundation to ask better questions, compare your options, and choose a community where you or your loved one can truly thrive.
Ready to Take That Tour?
At Kisco Senior Living, our senior living communities combine professional care with heart-led hospitality. We invite you to tour our communities, meet our care teams, and see how we bring The Art of Living Well to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medicare’s Care Compare tool?
Care Compare is a free online tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that lets you review and compare Medicare-certified skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities based on safety, staffing, and quality-of-care measures.
What does the star rating on Care Compare actually mean?
The star rating is a summary measure that combines three key areas—health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Five stars means the community performs well above average compared to others in the state and nationwide, while one star means below-average performance.
Federal Regulations on Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Communities
Do I have to be on Medicare to use Care Compare?
No. Anyone can use Care Compare to research providers. However, the communities listed are Medicare-certified, so the ratings and details are focused on residents who use Medicare coverage.
Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing?
Can I see how a community compares to others in my state?
Yes. Care Compare displays both state and national averages for many measures, so you can see whether a community is performing above, below, or about the same as others nearby.
Disclaimer: Information provided above may vary by community. We encourage you to speak directly with each Senior Living community to confirm specific details and ensure the community is the right fit for your individual needs and preferences.
