
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems is a series of patient surveys rating health care experiences in the United States. The surveys, conducted annually since 1995, are available in the public domain and focus on healthcare quality aspects that patients find important and are well equipped to assess. Results are used by Medicare in determining Diagnostic Related Group paymen…
What you should know about CAHPS and HOS surveys?
What you should know about CAHPS and HOS quality measures . What are CAHPS and HOS? The Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) program is a multiyear survey administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assess patients’ You will find iexperiences with health care.
What does CAHPS stand for?
CAHPS. Consumer Assessment of Health Plan Services. Medical » Healthcare. Rate it: CAHPS. Consumer Assessment of Health Plan Study. Medical » British Medicine.
What is patient experience and how does CAHPS measure it?
HCAHPS (pronounced "H-caps"), also known as the CAHPS Hospital Survey, is a survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients' perceptions of their hospital experience.
What does CAHPS mean in healthcare?
About CAHPS. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) program is a public/private initiative to develop standardized surveys of patients’ experiences with ambulatory and facility-level care in commercial and Medicaid plans. Surveys were developed with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

What is the purpose of CAHPS?
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) is an AHRQ program that began in 1995. Its purpose is to advance our scientific understanding of patient experience with healthcare. The acronym "CAHPS" is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Why is the CAHPS survey important?
Public reporting of CAHPS survey results enables healthcare consumers to make informed decisions when selecting providers and health plans. CAHPS surveys help healthcare organizations use data to identify strengths and weaknesses, determine where they need to improve, and track progress over time.
What are the 3 goals of CAHPS?
The three goals of the survey include: creating incentives to improve the quality of care, producing comparable data on patient's perspectives, and increasing transparency within healthcare to make the public more accountable.
What is CAHPS health plan survey?
The CAHPS Health Plan Survey is a tool for collecting standardized information on enrollees' experiences with health plans and their services. Since its launch in 1997, this survey has become the national standard for measuring and reporting on the experiences of consumers with their health plans.
Does CAHPS measure patient satisfaction?
CAHPS surveys do not ask patients how satisfied they were with their care; rather, they ask patients to report on the aspects of their experiences that are important to them and for which they are the best, and sometimes the only source of information.
How is CAHPS data collected?
About the survey: The MA & PDP CAHPS Survey is administered annually to a large sample of MA & PDP beneficiaries using a mixed mode data collection protocol that includes two survey mailings and telephone follow-up of non-respondents to the mailed questionnaire.
What are the three core elements that the triple aim focuses on improving?
It is IHI's belief that new designs must be developed to simultaneously pursue three dimensions, which we call the “Triple Aim”: Improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); Improving the health of populations; and. Reducing the per capita cost of health care.
Who gets CAHPS survey?
Since 1998, CMS has conducted the Medicare CAHPS surveys annually with a sample of Medicare beneficiaries at least 18 years of age, currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage contract for six months or longer, and who live in the United States.
What is CAHPS Medicare Advantage?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS)—also known as Medicare CAHPS—surveys to collect health plan member experience data.
What are CAHPS domains?
Domains. Domains are broad functional areas covered by CAHPS surveys, such as access to care or communication. In selecting domains for each survey, the CAHPS Consortium uses the following criteria: They are important for reaching and maintaining a high level of quality of care.
Why are Hcahp scores important?
According to the program, the higher a hospital's HCAHPS scores, the higher their reimbursements will be, and vice versa. As a result, low HCAHPS scores impact a hospital's bottom line in two ways: by hindering their reputation among consumers and limiting the amount of funding they receive from Medicare.
Why are patient satisfaction scores important?
Patient satisfaction plays a role in some value-based care reimbursement models, such as the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Providers get paid for hitting a certain quality threshold, and patient satisfaction is a part of that quality equation.
What are three main reasons why a practice will pursue a patient survey?
3 Reasons You Should be Using Patient Surveys...and Tips to Make them BetterReason #1: Improve your Patient Experience. The relationship you have with your patients is the essence of your practice. ... Reason #2: Acquire More Patients. ... Reason #3: Increase Patient Retention.
What is CAHPS Medicare Advantage?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS)—also known as Medicare CAHPS—surveys to collect health plan member experience data.
What is CMS survey?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) develop, implement and administer several different patient experience surveys. These surveys ask patients (or in some cases their families) about their experiences with, and ratings of, their health care providers and plans, including hospitals, home health care agencies, doctors, and health and drug plans, among others. The surveys focus on matters that patients themselves say are important to them and for which patients are the best and/or only source of information. CMS publicly reports the results of its patient experience surveys, and some surveys affect payments to CMS providers.
Who approves CAHPS surveys?
All surveys officially designated as CAHPS surveys have been approved by the CAHPS Consortium, which is overseen by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). CAHPS surveys follow scientific principles in survey design and development.
Does CMS pay for quality?
Instead of only paying for the number of services provided, CMS also pays for providing high quality services. The quality of services is measured clinically, administratively, and through the use of patient experience of care surveys.
What is the CAHPS Consortium?
Since 1995, AHRQ has been awarding 5-year grants to private organizations to plan and conduct research for the CAHPS program. Collectively, the Agency and these research organizations are known as the CAHPS Consortium. The Consortium is responsible for conceiving, developing, testing, and refining CAHPS surveys and conducting research on ...
What is CAHPS V?
The CAHPS program is currently in its fifth stage, referred to as CAHPS V, which continues the work of earlier CAHPS grants (I-IV). The CAHPS V program also encompasses research to further understanding of patients' experiences with patient safety, care coordination, shared decisionmaking, and patient engagement.
What is CAHPS program?
The CAHPS Program. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS ®) program is a multi-year initiative of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Its purpose is to support investigator-led research to better understand patient experience with health care and develop scientifically valid ...
When did CAHPS start?
AHRQ first launched the CAHPS program in October 1995 in response to concerns about the lack of good information about the quality of health plans from the enrollees' perspective. At that time, numerous public and private organizations collected information on enrollee and patient satisfaction, but those surveys varied from sponsor to sponsor, ...
What federal agencies are involved in CAHPS?
Federal agencies that have played a role in the CAHPS program include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), and the National Cancer Institute.
What is survey development?
The development and testing of survey items on specific topics ( e.g., shared decision-making) and for specific purposes (e.g., eliciting patients' comments).
Who are the two CAHPs grantees?
The two CAHPS grantees–Yale and RAND —pursue a variety of research projects, some of which are conducted collaboratively across the two research teams. This work includes:
What is CG CAHPS?
The Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG CAHPS) survey is a standardized survey used to measure patients' perceptions of care received from healthcare providers and their staff in medical offices. The CGCAHPS were created to better understand, assess, and improve patient care experiences. The acronym "CAHPS" is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
What is the purpose of CG CAHPS?
CGCAHPS were developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to measure patient perceptions of care provided by doctors and medical groups. The survey also results provide patients with information that can be used to make more informed choices about their healthcare providers.
Are CG CAHPS reported publicly?
Yes. Participation is free , and contributors are encouraged to provide data on a voluntary basis. The website "PhysicianCompare.com" provides a listing of providers and includes quality and patient experience measures from the medical office setting.
What is M3-Patient Experience® and how does it support the CG CAHPS process?
M3-Patient Experience is the proprietary patient feedback system developed and deployed by MedicalGPS, LLC. Since 1995 physician practices have used M3-Patient Experience to gauge their patients' perception of the office experience. The process is simple, yet very powerful. The goal is to acknowledge and express gratitude to every patient immediately following their office visit. Patients are first thanked, and then encouraged to provide feedback relative to their visit - usually the same day or next day following their visit. Patient feedback is obtained via in-clinic devices, email, and text message.
What are the measures of CAHPS?
What measures are covered under the CG CAHPS survey? 1 Receiving Timely Appointments, Care, and Information. 2 How Well Providers Communicate with Patients. 3 Providers' Use of Information to Coordinate Patient Care. 4 Helpful, Courteous, and Respectful Office Staff. 5 Patients' Rating of the Provider.
Why are CAHPs important?
CG CAHPS are valuable for comparing and assessing an organization's performance and analyzing strengths and weaknesses in patient experiences. They can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of improvement interventions. Most importantly, CG CAHPS can be used to help set higher standards of quality and patient satisfaction within an organization, while supporting a culture of patient-centered care.
Who needs CG-CAHPS?
CGCAHPS are required from medical groups with over 100 providers under one tax ID number, Pioneer ACOs, and Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs. There are also several states that require the use of CG-CAHPS.
What is CAHPS survey?
Initially CAHPS® survey instruments were designed to assess health plan performance from the consumer perspective in multiple health care settings (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare); reports were intended to give consumers information in a user-friendly format. Subsequently CAHPS® broadened its scope to include surveys and reporting recommendations for assessing individual physicians, physician groups, and hospitals. CAHPS® developed targeted item sets for persons with mobility impairments, home health, and prescription drug plans. CAHPS® now comprises a family of surveys focused on ambulatory care (e.g., health plans, home health, surgical care, dental plans) and facilities (e.g. hospital, in-center hemodialysis, and nursing homes).
What is CAHPS tool?
CAHPS® tools are widely used—for example, by the National Committee for Quality Assurance to accredit health plans and recognize medical homes; by purchasers to inform pay-for-performance; and by a range of public and private sector providers to assess quality of care.
What is a CAHPS?
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Study is an innovative effort to develop tools for surveying people about their health care experiences and reporting results to help consumers make better health-related decisions. RAND has been part of the consortium leading CAHPS® since the project launched in 1995. CAHPS® is funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CAHPS® is now the undisputed leader in measuring patient experience.
Is Rand a trusted advisor?
RAND has also established itself as a trusted technical advisor to CMS—for example, providing support for implementing the hospital and hospice surveys. A recent effort provided survey instruments, procedures, and analyses for use with the Medicare Shared Savings Program, the Physician Quality Reporting Program, and other CMS programs. RAND is currently helping CMS implement the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan surveys, CAHPS for Accountable Care Organizations, and the CAHPS Hospice Survey. RAND analyses are also helping CMS understand and address racial/ethnic differences in care.
Who funds CAHPS?
CAHPS® is funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CAHPS® is now the undisputed leader in measuring patient experience.
What is CAHPS survey?
CAHPS Survey for Accountable Care Organizations Participating in Medicare Initiatives
Where to contact CAHPS for ACOs?
For more information about the CAHPS for ACOs survey, please visit the CAHPS for ACOs website: http://acocahps.cms.gov . You may also contact the CAHPS for ACOs project team at [email protected].
What is CAHPS survey?
CAHPS® Hospice Survey … The CAHPS Hospice Survey assesses the experiences of patients who died while receiving hospice care and their primary informal caregivers. The survey treats the patient and caregiver as a single unit of care. Its purpose is to:
How does CAHPS work?
CAHPS® Hospice Survey … The CAHPS Hospice Survey assesses the experiences of patients who died while receiving hospice care and their primary informal caregivers. The survey treats the patient and caregiver as a single unit of care. Its purpose is to: 1 Provide a source of information on patient/caregiver experiences that can be publicly reported to beneficiaries and their family members to help them select a hospice program, 2 Support hospices with their internal quality improvement efforts and external benchmarking with other facilities, and 3 Provide the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with information for monitoring the care provided by hospices. The survey contains 47 questions and is administered to eligible decedents/caregivers from all payer sources.
How many surveys are required to get a CAHPS star rating?
Reportability: Hospices must have a minimum of 75 completed surveys over the given eight-quarter period in order to receive a CAHPS Hospice Star Rating.
When will CMS update CAHPS ratings?
CMS will display overall Hospice CAHPS Star ratings on public reporting no sooner than August 2022 and will be updated every other quarter.
What is hospice level score?
Hospice level score: A hospice-level score for a given survey item would then be calculated as the average of the individual-level responses, with adjustment for differences in case mix and mode of survey administration.
How many measures are there in Star Ratings?
The calculation will average the Star Ratings across the 8 measures
Who approves CAHPS survey instruments?
The CAHPS Hospice Survey Instruments posted below have been approved by OMB (mail and telephone).

Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Survey
- About this Page The CAHPS Hospice Survey webpage provides a description of the survey, its measures, and requirements. More details can be found on the technical survey webpage, www.hospicecahpssurvey.org. For technical assistance contact the CAHPS® Hospice Survey Project Team: [email protected] 1-844-472-4621. To communicate with CMS s...
Participation Requirements For Hospices
- Hospices that have 50 or more survey-eligible patient/family caregiver pairs in a reference year are required to participate in the CAHPS Hospice Survey in order to receive their full Medicare Annual Payment Update (APU). The table below shows key dates with respect to Hospice survey data collection, including the data collection year, corresponding reference year, and the annual …
Key Dates For CAHPS Hospice Survey Data Collection Years 2020 - 2023
- For more details about participation requirements and CAHPS® Hospice Survey implementation, please visit the survey website, www.hospicecahpssurvey.org. Hospice Quality Reporting Program Archives
Brief History
- AHRQ first launched the CAHPS program in October 1995 in response to concerns about the lack of good information about the quality of health plans from the enrollees' perspective. At that time, numerous public and private organizations collected information on enrollee and patient satisfaction, but those surveys varied from sponsor to sponsor, ofte...
The CAHPS Consortium
- Since 1995, AHRQ has been awarding 5-year grants to private organizations to plan and conduct research for the CAHPS program. Collectively, the Agency and these research organizations are known as the CAHPS Consortium. The Consortium is responsible for conceiving, developing, testing, and refining CAHPS surveys and conducting research on the various uses of survey dat…
Current Work of The CAHPS Consortium
- The two CAHPS grantees–Yale and RAND—pursue a variety of research projects, some of which are conducted collaboratively across the two research teams. This work includes: 1. The development and testing of new surveys (e.g., to measure experiences with mental health care, including treatment for substance use disorders; to measure experiences with end-of-life care). …
Collaboration with Other Federal Agencies
- Federal agencies that have played a role in the CAHPS program include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), and the National Cancer Institute. These agencies are all part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.