Skilled Nursing News

Higher Medicaid Rates Boost Chances of 4- and 5-Star Ratings for Nursing Homes, JAMDA Study Finds

A new JAMDA cross‑sectional study of 9,473 freestanding nursing homes finds that higher Medicaid payment rates are linked to a greater likelihood of earning 4‑ or 5‑star overall, health‑inspection and staffing ratings on CMS’s Care Compare. Nearly 79% of facilities receive less than $225 per resident day, with 17% covering under 70% of costs, while only about 10% are reimbursed above cost. The analysis shows 47% of homes achieved 4‑5 stars overall, and the authors argue that inadequate Medicaid funding undermines quality, urging policymakers to consider payment adequacy.