This year, CMS has implemented eight changes to the HCAHPS survey and scoring.
The changes are part of CMS’ HCAHPS 2.0 launch, which began in 2025. Last year, CMS began allowing patients to fill out the HCAHPS survey online; sunset two survey administration options; added three submeasures for care coordination, restfulness and information about symptoms; extended the data-collection period from 42 to 49 days; ended regulation that prohibits patients’ loved ones from filling out the survey on their behalf; limited the number of supplemental items; and required hospitals to collect information about the language patients speak.
In 2026, CMS implemented several of the data metric changes in January and April, when it released its quarterly updates.
CMS added:
- FY2026 Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program results.
- FY2026 Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program results, including excess readmission ratios for each of the six 30-day risk-standardized unplanned readmission measures.
- Launched two new data sets for rural emergency hospitals outpatient imaging efficiency and rural emergency hospitals unplanned hospital visits, indicated by the measures REH-OP-10 and REH-OP-36, respectively.
- It also added a new hospital value-based purchasing safety measure, HVBP-SEP-1, which calculated the percentage of patients who received appropriate care for severe sepsis and/or septic shock.
- In addition, it updated the Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings.
CMS removed data collection for:
- Responsiveness of hospital staff.
- Care transition.
- It also removed questions around if patients understand their care, responsibility in health management and purpose of their medications when leaving the hospital.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
