October 5, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will introduce a “High Performing Facility” trophy icon on Nursing Home Care Compare beginning October 8, 2026. Displayed alongside existing star ratings, the icon will identify nursing homes eligible for CMS’ Risk-Based Survey (RBS) process. According to CMS, these facilities have fewer citations, higher staffing levels, and strong performance on other quality indicators.
Launched nationwide last month, the RBS process allows qualifying facilities to receive a more focused standard recertification survey with fewer surveyors and less on-site time. CMS intends to redirect the resources saved toward higher-risk facilities and complaint investigations while maintaining oversight of federal health and safety requirements.
Eligibility requires a five-star overall rating, at least a three-star staffing rating, and additional criteria addressing survey history, data accuracy, and other factors. The icon will remain on a facility’s profile while it qualifies for RBS. Eligibility does not exempt facilities from surveys, and state agencies may use the traditional survey process when resident health or safety concerns arise.
Complete eligibility criteria and implementation details are available in CMS Memorandum QSO-26-14-NH, revised on September 29, 2026.