Beyond the Stars: Looking Past the Rating to What Really Matters

Finding the Right Fit for Your Care Needs

Understanding What CMS Ratings Mean — and What They Don’t

When you’re choosing a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility for yourself or a loved one, it’s natural to look at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings. These ratings provide a “snapshot” of care for a nursing home — but they don’t tell the whole story.

What Are CMS Star Ratings?

CMS rates nursing homes from 1 to 5 stars based on Health Inspections, Staffing Levels, and Quality Measures. These scores are updated quarterly, but may not reflect recent improvements or individual care experiences.

CMS ratings offer valuable information, but they’re just one part of the picture. The CMS system calculates a weighted average, where some categories (like inspections) count more than others — and occasionally, technical issues with data reporting can unfairly impact a facility’s rating.

Why Ratings Don’t Tell the Whole Story

• Ratings may reflect historical data, not current performance
• Some facilities are undergoing positive changes not yet reflected in CMS systems
• Rare CMS data reporting issues can influence scores inaccurately

That’s why we launched our “Beyond the Stars” campaign at Transitions Healthcare North Huntingdon — to provide clarity, transparency, and peace of mind during your decision-making journey.

You’re More Than a Rating — And So Are We

We believe it’s more important to understand the people, culture, and care philosophy behind the numbers.

*Note: In June 2025, CMS marked our staffing rating with a placeholder value (“25”), meaning it could not validate our data — not low staffing levels, not high staff turnover, nor compromised care. In fact, we remain more than adequately staffed with a team that works hard every day to support safe, effective care.

What We’re Doing

• Addressing discrepancies directly with CMS
• Investing in staff, training, and quality initiatives
• Welcoming open conversations with families and care partners

What This Means for You

While star ratings can help guide your search, they don’t replace the value of seeing a facility for yourself, meeting the caregivers, and feeling the environment firsthand.

At Transitions Healthcare North Huntingdon, we’re proud of our:

✅ Exceptional staff-to-resident care
✅ Specialized clinical programs including on-site dialysis
✅ Warm, home-like environment
✅ Innovative therapy and rehabilitation services
✅ Strong connections with families and the greater community

We believe real quality shows in the smiles of our residents, the trust of our families, and the compassion of our caregivers — things that go beyond the stars.

Experience the Difference

We understand that star ratings matter to families making important decisions about their loved ones’ care. But at Transitions Healthcare North Huntingdon, we believe truly exceptional care can’t be measured by stars alone — it’s found in the moments of kindness, the extra mile walked, and the relationships built along the way. Visit our facility, meet our team, and experience the difference that comes from care that reaches beyond what’s expected.

Schedule a Personal Tour Today

It’s our promise to deliver care that goes further than ratings, deeper than metrics, and straight to what matters most: people. Let us help you make an informed, confident decision.

Contact: Colin Johnson, Hospital Clinical Liaison
☎️ Main Office: (724) 864-7190
📞 Mobile: (724) 516-0908