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What's New

The Proposed FY 2014 IPPS Rule Has Been Published (05/07/2013)

The Proposed FY 2014 IPPS Rule has been published on April 26, 2013. A PDF version is available at the following URL: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2013-10234_PI.pdf.

Data.Medicare.Gov: CMS will be Conducting a Webinar on May 16, 2013 Highlighting Access to Data (04/22/2013)

The webinar will provide an introduction to Data.Medicare.Gov, demonstrate options for accessing the data, and describe how to make use of the site’s tools for exploring and interacting with the data.

The webinar is appropriate for both technical and non-technical users of Compare website data, for example, researchers, health care administrators, and quality improvement professionals.

To register or for further information, please visit https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=vutakpmjxr7j.

Summary Analyses Page Tables Have Been Updated (04/19/2013)

The following tables have been added to the HCAHPS Web site Summary Analyses Page:

  • April 2013 Summary of HCAHPS Survey Results Table
  • April 2013 HCAHPS Percentiles Table
  • April 2013 HCAHPS Patient-Level Correlations Table
  • April 2013 HCAHPS Hospital Characteristics Comparison Charts

Hospital Compare Has Been Refreshed (04/19/2013)

The April 2013 Hospital Compare Refresh includes HCAHPS scores from July 2011 thru June 2012 data collections.

HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V8.0 Summary of Updates and Emphasis Has Been Posted (04/16/2013)

The HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V8.0 Summary of Updates and Emphasis is a reference tool that highlights the major changes from the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V7.0 to V8.0. Please click here to access the summary.

Patient-Mix Coefficients for July 2013 HCAHPS Results Have Been Posted (04/11/2013)

The Patient-Mix Coefficients for the July 2013 HCAHPS results are now available. Please click here.

HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V8.0 Now Available (02/26/2013)

The HCAHPS Project Team is pleased to announce the release of the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V8.0. This manual has been revised from V7.0 and includes additional updates and enhancements that provide a comprehensive resource for hospitals and survey vendors participating in the HCAHPS initiative. This updated version is now available online to view or download on the Quality Assurance page.

In addition, the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V8.0 manual, on CD-ROM, is in the process of being distributed to each organizations’ contact person registered for the upcoming Introduction to HCAHPS and HCAHPS Update Training sessions.

Agendas and Training Slides Posted for the March 2013 Introduction to HCAHPS and HCAHPS Update Training Sessions (02/26/2013)

The March 2013 Introduction to HCAHPS Training slides and agendas can now be found on the Training Materials page.

The March 2013 HCAHPS Update Training slides and agendas can now be found on the Training Materials page.

CMS Announces Revisions to the HCAHPS Exceptions Request Process (02/26/2013)

In order to better manage and maintain HCAHPS exceptions requests, CMS is updating and enhancing the Exceptions Request process. The following protocols have been added:

  • All currently approved Exceptions Requests approved prior to October 1, 2012 will expire on September 30, 2013.

    Requests to extend currently approved Exceptions Requests should be submitted at least 60 days before the September 30, 2013 expiration date (August 1, 2013) to allow time for review and processing.

  • New Exceptions Requests (those approved October 1, 2012 and forward) will be limited to a 2 year approval timeframe. The 2 year time period will begin from the date of approval.

Exceptions requests will continue to be reviewed by the HCAHPS Project Team. These reviews will include an assessment of nature, scope and consequences of the proposed exception, the methodological soundness of the proposed alternative(s) to the standard protocols and the potential for introducing bias. Depending on the type of exception, a review of procedures and/or an on-site visit or teleconference call may be required. The HCAHPS Project Team will notify hospitals/survey vendors regarding the outcome of the review. If not approved, the HCAHPS Project Team will provide an explanation.

To request an exception, hospitals/survey vendors are required to complete and submit an Exceptions Request Form online via the HCAHPS Web site (www.hcahpsonline.org). Hospital CMS Certification Numbers (CCNs) must be included on the form.

HCAHPS Minimum Business Requirements (01/29/2013)

To administer the HCAHPS survey, organizations must meet all of the HCAHPS Minimum Business Requirements. A hospital self-administering the HCAHPS survey must meet the Self-administering Hospital Minimum Survey Requirements, and an independent survey vendor or a hospital administering the HCAHPS survey for multiple sites must meet the Survey Vendor Minimum Survey Requirements. In addition, subcontractors performing major HCAHPS survey administration functions (e.g., mail/telephone/IVR operations, XML file preparation) must also meet the HCAHPS Minimum Survey Requirements which pertain to that role. For more information regarding the HCAHPS Minimum Business Requirements, please click here or on the left-hand Quality Assurance navigation button.

Data Submission Deadlines for 2014 Have Been Posted (10/19/2012)

The HCAHPS data submission deadlines for 2014 are now available. Following the HCAHPS Data Submission Deadline, hospitals self-administering the HCAHPS survey and HCAHPS survey vendors will have a one week opportunity to correct data previously submitted for the quarter. The Review and Correct period is only for correcting previously submitted data and cannot be used to submit new data records.

The process for submitting corrected data will be the same as the current process used for correcting data. During the Review and Correct Period only administrative data and survey record data can be corrected.

The Review and Correct Report summarizing the data submitted to the HCAHPS Data Warehouse is available to hospitals and survey vendors in the Review and Correction period. These reports will be accessed through My QualityNet similar to accessing the existing HCAHPS Data Warehouse Submission and Feedback Reports.

The 2014 HCAHPS Data Submission Deadlines are as follows:

  • January 2, 2014 is the data submission deadline for patients discharged in July, August, and September 2013(3Q13). September 2013 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • January 3 - 9, 2014 Review and Correct Period
  • April 2, 2014 is the data submission deadline for the patients discharged in October, November, and December 2013 (4Q13). December 2013 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • April 3 - 9, 2014 Review and Correct Period
  • July 2, 2014 is the data submission deadline for patients discharged in January, February, and March 2014 (1Q14). March 2014 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • July 3 – 9, 2014 Review and Correct Period
  • October 1, 2014 is the data submission deadline for patients discharged in April, May, and June 2014 (2Q14). June 2014 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • October 2 – 8, 2014 Review and Correct Period

The 2013 HCAHPS Data Submission Deadlines are as follows:

  • April 3, 2013 is the data submission deadline for the patients discharged in October, November, and December 2012 (4Q12). December 2012 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • April 4 - 10, 2013 Review and Correct Period
  • July 3, 2013 is the data submission deadline for patients discharged in January, February, and March 2013 (1Q13). March 2013 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • July 4 – 10, 2013 Review and Correct Period
  • October 2, 2013 is the data submission deadline for patients discharged in April, May, and June 2013 (2Q13). June 2013 Dry Run data must also be submitted by this date.
    • October 3 – 9, 2013 Review and Correct Period


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