Comparing Public Quality Ratings for Accredited and Nonaccredited Home Health Agencies

Abstract

This was a descriptive study comparing 1,582 accredited and 10,008 nonaccredited home health agencies over a 3-year period using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Home Health Compare data set. Metrics included the star rating and 22 quality measures. A longitudinal model was used to determine differences between accredited and nonaccredited organizations on the quality measures. Categorical differences in star ratings and risk-adjusted outcome categories were analyzed using a chi-square test. Accredited agencies had statistically higher star ratings than nonaccredited organizations (3.4 vs. 3.2, p <.05).