Cass Health has achieved a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating report. Nationwide, a total of 385 hospitals — approximately 12% of the 3,203 hospitals evaluated this year — received a 5-star rating. In Iowa, only seven hospitals achieved this designation.

CMS created the five-star rating system to help patients and families compare hospitals, prioritizing measurements of high-quality and safe care. The overall rating from 1 to 5 stars summarizes a number of quality measures from data reported across five areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. The higher the stars, the better the hospital’s performance.

“Reaching a 5-star status is an incredible accomplishment for a hospital and is the highest rating awarded by CMS. Above all, we want our patients, families, and communities that we are privileged to serve to have a superior experience at Cass Health, which means superior quality, superior outcomes, and superior customer service. We are proud of this achievement and the culture of kindness emulated by our entire team,” said Cass Health CEO Brett Altman.

Hospitals report data to CMS through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program, Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, and Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program.

The data used to calculate the ratings is publicly available, allowing patients and families to compare hospitals across Iowa and throughout the country. To see more details about any hospital’s ratings, visit medicare.gov/care-compare.