Our Mission
WiseCareGuide helps families make informed decisions about nursing home and assisted living care by providing transparent, objective analysis of government-verified quality data.
We believe that choosing senior care shouldn't require expertise in healthcare regulations or data analysis. Our mission is to translate complex government data into clear, actionable insights that help you find safe, high-quality care for your loved ones.
Our Data Sources
All facility data, quality metrics, and ratings on WiseCareGuide come from official government sources. We do not accept payments from facilities, and our analysis is completely independent.
CMS Nursing Home Compare Database
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
What it includes:
- Provider information (name, address, contact, ownership)
- Overall star ratings (1-5 scale)
- Component ratings (Health Inspections, Staffing, Quality Measures)
- Number of certified beds
- Special focus facility status
Data updated quarterly by CMS. Last imported: October 2024
CMS Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ)
What it includes:
- RN hours per resident per day
- Total nursing hours per resident per day
- Weekend staffing levels
- Nurse turnover rates
- Average residents per day (census)
Staffing data reported directly by facilities to CMS
CMS Quality Measures
What it includes:
- MDS Quality Measures (from resident assessments)
- Claims-based Quality Measures (from Medicare claims)
- 17 clinical indicators including falls, pressure ulcers, rehospitalizations, ADL function
CMS Deficiencies & Penalties
What it includes:
- Health and safety deficiencies from state surveys
- Deficiency severity codes (scope and severity)
- Civil monetary penalties (fines)
- Payment denials and their duration
- Complaint-based inspection findings
Our Methodology
Data Collection & Updates
We import data directly from CMS public datasets using automated scripts. Our database includes:
- 14,751 Medicare-certified nursing homes across all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands
- Updated quarterly to match CMS's refresh cycle
- Historical data preserved for trend analysis
Composite Quality Score Calculation
In addition to CMS star ratings, we calculate a proprietary composite quality score (0-100) that incorporates:
- Star ratings (Overall, Health Inspections, Staffing, Quality Measures)
- Staffing metrics (RN hours, total hours, turnover rates)
- Deficiency history (severity, frequency, recent violations)
- Penalty amounts (fines, payment denials)
- Clinical quality indicators (rehospitalization rates, pressure ulcers, falls)
Our composite score provides more granularity than the 1-5 star system and helps differentiate facilities within the same star rating tier.
Analysis & Insights
Our guides and facility comparisons are based on statistical analysis of the full CMS dataset, including:
- National averages and percentile rankings
- State-level and regional comparisons
- Correlation analysis (e.g., staffing levels vs. quality outcomes)
- Ownership type, facility size, and urban/rural comparisons
Editorial Standards & Independence
Complete Independence
WiseCareGuide does not accept payments, advertising, or compensation from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or senior care providers. Our analysis is 100% independent and based solely on government data.
Data-Driven Approach
All claims, statistics, and insights in our guides are derived from analysis of official CMS data. We cite specific data sources and update our content when new data becomes available.
Transparency
We clearly disclose our data sources, methodology, and any limitations in our analysis. When data is missing or incomplete, we inform users rather than filling gaps with assumptions.
Regular Updates
Guides and facility data are reviewed and updated quarterly to reflect the latest CMS data releases. Major changes in methodology or data sources are disclosed to users.
Limitations & What We Don't Measure
While CMS data provides the most comprehensive and objective view of nursing home quality available, it has limitations:
- Staffing data can be gamed: Facilities report staffing for a 2-week snapshot period, which may not reflect typical staffing levels
- Star ratings lag behind reality: Ratings are updated quarterly and reflect surveys conducted months earlier
- Not all quality factors are measured: CMS data doesn't capture staff attitudes, food quality, activity programs, or facility culture
- No pricing information: CMS does not publish nursing home costs, which vary by payer type and geographic region
- Limited amenity details: Physical amenities and services offered are not comprehensively reported
We strongly recommend visiting facilities in person, speaking with staff and residents, and reviewing multiple sources of information before making a decision.
Questions or Feedback?
We're committed to providing accurate, helpful information. If you have questions about our data, methodology, or suggestions for improvement, we'd like to hear from you.
Data questions or corrections: If you notice outdated or incorrect facility information, please note that we import data directly from CMS. For facility-specific corrections, contact CMS directly or the facility to update their CMS records.
Last updated: November 2024