CAHPS Insider: May 2026

HCAHPS

FY 2027 IPPS Proposed Rule

On April 14, 2026, CMS published the FY 2027 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Proposed Rule. The proposal does not include any changes to the HCAHPS Survey or its administration.

CMS reiterated previously finalized scoring updates that will apply to Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program years FY 2027 through FY 2029. During this transition period, hospitals will be scored only on the six HCAHPS dimensions that remain unchanged until updated survey measures are publicly reported for one year.

These dimensions include:

• Communication with Nurses
• Communication with Doctors
• Communication about Medicines
• Discharge Information
• Cleanliness and Quietness
• Overall Rating

No action is required. Continued focus on these core domains remains essential as CMS phases in updated survey measures.

OAS CAHPS

ASC Preview Reports

Preview Reports for the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery CAHPS (OAS CAHPS) Survey are now available, reflecting results from Q3 2024 – Q2 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025). These reports can be accessed on the OAS CAHPS website for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs).

Note Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD) reports are hosted through the Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) system.

ASCs are encouraged to review their Preview Reports ahead of public reporting.

HHCAHPS

Updated Survey Implemented

The updated HHCAHPS Survey is now in use, beginning with the April 2026 sample month. As finalized in the CY 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule, the survey has been streamlined through the removal of eight questions and the addition of three new questions.

Updated and new measures will begin appearing on Care Compare in October 2027.

NRC Health has implemented all necessary updates to maintain compliance, and no action is required from partner agencies.

Public Reporting Refresh

CMS has released the latest quarterly public reporting refresh, based on data from Q4 2024 – Q3 2025 (October 2024 – September 2025). These results are now available on Care Compare.

Additional information is available on the HHCAHPS website through “Archived Publicly Reported Data” under the “General Information” tab, including agency-level scores, state and national averages, Star Ratings cut points, and detailed patient-mix adjustment information.

CAHPS Hospice

Educational Podcasts

The CAHPS Hospice Survey Project Team has recently updated several educational resources and introduced a new podcast focused on public reporting updates.

Updated topics include:

• The Data Collection Process
• Communication about the CAHPS Hospice Survey and Other Quality Efforts.

New podcasts include:

• Updated to Public Reporting of CAHPS Hospice Survey Data

These podcasts and accompanying transcripts are available on the CAHPS Hospice website and can be useful tools for staff education and ongoing quality initiatives.

ICH CAHPS

April 2026 Refresh

The April 2026 ICH CAHPS refresh is now live on Care Compare, reflecting data from the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 survey periods.

Updated resources include information on patient–mix adjustment coefficients and state and national averages.

New Patient Engagement Resource

CMS has released a new patient-facing poster/flyer, available in English and Spanish, highlighting that the survey is now shorter and easier to complete. Facilities are encouraged to customize the poster with their logo and display it in patient areas to help raise awareness and encourage participation.

LEAD

LEAD ACO Model

CMS has announced the Long-term Enhanced Accountable Care Organization Design (LEAD) Model, a new voluntary ACO model that will launch in 2027 and run through 2036, replacing the ACO REACH Model after its conclusion in December 2026.

The LEAD Model is designed to expand access to value-based care by offering more predictable financial benchmarks over a 10-year period, along with flexible participation options, additional support for higher-cost participants, and new opportunities to collaborate with specialists through bundled arrangements.

CMS is currently accepting applications through May 17, 2026, additional details on applications are available here.

CMS has not yet provided guidance on CAHPS Survey participation requirements under the LEAD Model. NRC Health will continue to monitor updates and share additional information as it becomes available.

External Submission Deadlines

	Q3 2025 Discharges	Q4 2025 Discharges	Q1 2026 Discharges	Q2 2026 Discharges
HCAHPS	1/14/2026	4/8/2026	7/8/2026	10/9/2026
Premier	1/23/2026	4/17/2026	7/24/2026	10/30/2026
Vizient	1/23/2026	4/17/2026	7/17/2026	10/23/2026
HHCAHPS	1/15/2026	4/16/2026	7/16/2026	10/15/2026
CAHPS Hospice	2/11/2026	5/13/2026	8/12/2026	11/11/2026
OAS CAHPS	1/14/2026	4/8/2026	7/8/2026	10/9/2026
ICH CAHPS	1/28/2026 (Fall 2025)		7/29/2026 (Spring 2026)
ACO REACH		1/19/2027 (2026)
CAHPS for MIPS		1/15/2027 (2026)
				*Activity COMPLETE