LHC Group again tops CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System results

LAFAYETTE, La., May 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive quarter, LHC Group, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: LHCG) aggregate scores lead its national post-acute care peers in quality and patient satisfaction ratings – according to the latest Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System results released in  April.

The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System results are released quarterly and rank providers in two categories: "Quality of Patient Care" and "Patient Satisfaction."

LHC Group is a national provider of post-acute care services with 12,000 employees operating more than 400 locations in 26 states – including 305 home health locations. Once again, as compared to other providers, more of the company's home health locations achieved scores that exceeded the national average in both CMS ratings categories.

Compared to a national average rating of 3.5 stars:

• 97 percent of LHC Group home health agencies earned a four-star rating or better in at least one category.
• 210 locations earned four stars or better in both categories.
• 29 earned a five-star rating – the highest possible score – in both categories.

The company's ongoing achievement in leading its industry in CMS star ratings has drawn remarks from independent observers and analysts such as Jeffries Group LLC, a New York-based global investment bank and institutional securities firm that provides financial advisory services.

In 2016, the firm called LHC Group's ratings "noteworthy" and "impressive" among its peers. In a recent interview with Home Health Care News, Brian Tanquilit, senior vice president of health care services equity research at Jefferies, said: "[LHC Group is] firing on all cylinders right now and a lot of that goes back to the fact that they have some of the best star ratings in the industry… . It's translating into increased referral flow from physicians and hospitals."

CMS star ratings are highly respected performance indicators for home health providers and are viewed as a key differentiator in the post-acute care industry. As healthcare providers seek ways to better support the health and well-being of their patients both within and outside hospital settings, effective post-acute care solutions are growing in importance.

"Quality care is our top priority, and these results validate the hard work and commitment to excellence exemplified by our teams across the nation," said Keith Myers, LHC Group chairman and CEO. "Quality metrics are now the preferred standard for evaluating healthcare providers of all types. We are both proud and honored to earn independent, outside recognition as the industry leader in providing consistent quality care that meets and exceeds the needs and expectations of the patients and families we are privileged to serve.

"These ongoing achievements are the result of a company-wide commitment to quality at every level of our organization. We operate under the firm belief that there is no aspect of our business – no matter how seemingly insignificant – that does not ultimately impact quality."

LHC Group's dedication to producing quality patient outcomes is facilitated in part through proactive and consistent internal monitoring and review that helps quickly identify and address opportunities for improvement at the agency level. The ability to design and implement improvements in real time at a local level has helped the company achieve and maintain its position as the post-acute care industry's recognized leader in quality.

The Five-Star Quality Rating System was instituted by CMS as part of its Home Health Compare website to provide a "tool for consumers to use when choosing a home health care provider."

About LHC Group, Inc.

LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of post-acute healthcare services, providing quality, cost‑effective healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their home or place of residence. LHC Group provides a comprehensive array of healthcare services through home health, hospice, community-based services agencies and facility-based services. LHC Group operates 305 home health services locations, 73 hospice locations, 11 community-based service locations and six long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) with eight locations.

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SOURCE LHC Group, Inc.