CMS Releases Evaluation of Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings – On July 21, 2016, CMS released high-level data regarding the national distribution of Overall Hospital Star Ratings based on certain hospital characteristics. Notably, only 2.2 percent of hospitals received 5 stars, the highest rating. CMS intends to post the Overall Hospital Star Ratings for individual hospitals shortly on the Hospital Compare website. The CMS data brief is available here.

Medicare Announces Participants for New Initiative to Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes – On July 21, 2016, CMS announced the selection of 516 healthcare practitioners to participate in a new initiative to help reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes among millions of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries.  The healthcare practitioners selected to participate in the Million Hearts® Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Model will work to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by assessing an individual patient’s risk for heart attack or stroke and applying preventative interventions.  For more information, click here.