Are You CAHPS Compliant

For specific questions regarding your CAHPS, please contact one of our knowledgeable staff at 1-877-481-6251 ext 214 or email at surveysupport@mrhc.net.  The following is an overview of the requirements of each type of CAHPS that Minnesota Rural Health Cooperative is able to administer for you.

HCAHPS (Hospital CAHPS)

1.  Any hospital that has 60 or more patients per year must participate in HCAHPS.
2.  The hospital must either self administer the survey or have a vendor that is CMS authorized.
3.  Each patient over the age of 18 would receive a survey as often as once a month.  If a patient is discharged more than once within the same calendar month they would only receive one survey.
4.  The survey has 27 core questions with the option of adding 5 facility specific questions.
5.  Each survey is mailed with a cover letter to the patient.  If after 21 days (3 weeks) the patient does not respond, a reminder cover letter with an additional copy of the survey is mailed to the patient.
6.  Reports are done quarterly with the data being uploaded for public viewing quarterly.
7.  Patients can review results at publishes participating hospitals’ HCAHPS results on the Hospital Compare website www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov or at www.cahpsonline.org.

CG CAHPS (MN Clinics)

1.  Any clinic that employs a Dr. or DO and has 715 (CHANGED FROM 625) unique adult patients in the months of September, October and November combined must participate starting in the fall of 2012.
2.  The survey is being mandated by Minnesota Department of Health.
3  Each clinic must send 715 (CHANGED FROM  625) surveys with the expectation that 300 responses will be received.
4.  If the patient does not respond to the survey 21 days (3 weeks) after the initial mailing a reminder cover letter with a copy of the survey is mailed to the patient.
5.  Minnesota Rural Health Cooperative is prepared to start administering surveys in the fall of 2011.  The advantage of this is that you would get a score based on the results and compared to all the facilities MRHC administers the surveys for.  If there is an area you would like to see your score improved in you would have the opportunity to do corrective measures to increase that score before it is publically reported in the fall of 2012.
6.  The surveys are required to be done in 2012, 2014, 2016 etc.  Once there is a publically reported score it is visible for 2 years.
7.  Our cohesive report will be sent to the facility contact person through secure Zix email at the end of each quarter.

HH-CAHPS

1.  Any Home Health Agency who has 60 or more Medicare or Medicaid patients per year must participate.
2.  The survey has 34 core questions with the ability to add up to 5 facility specific questions.
3.  Each client would only receive a survey once every 6 months.
4.  The survey and cover letter are mailed by the 21st of the month following service.
5.  If the client does not respond within 21 days (3 weeks) a reminder cover letter is mailed along with a copy of the survey to the client.
6.  Reports are done quarterly and emailed to the facility contact person.
7.  Clients can view agencies results online once a year’s worth of data has been collected.  Watch for updates.
MRHC is only a phone call or email away.  We pride ourselves in the personal attention you should expect.  We personally answer any question within one business day!