# CareGrader

> CareGrader grades every Medicare-certified nursing home in America from A to F using official CMS government inspection data. Free, unbiased, no paid placements.

CareGrader combines four dimensions of government data — health inspections (35%), staffing levels (25%), quality measures (25%), and penalty history (15%) — into a single composite score (0-100) that maps to an A-F letter grade. Data is sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and updated monthly.

## Key Pages

- [Nursing Home Search](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes): Browse and search all nursing homes by state and city
- [Grading Methodology](https://caregrader.com
/methodology): How CareGrader calculates A-F grades from CMS data
- [Data Sources](https://caregrader.com
/data-sources): Official government datasets we use (CMS Medicare, PBJ staffing, ProPublica)
- [About CareGrader](https://caregrader.com
/about): Our mission and principles — data only, no paid placements

## Tools

- [Cost Calculator](https://caregrader.com
/tools/cost-calculator): Estimate nursing home costs by state and care type
- [Care Assessment](https://caregrader.com
/tools/care-assessment): 10-question quiz to determine the right level of senior care
- [Medicaid Eligibility Screener](https://caregrader.com
/tools/medicaid-eligibility): Check if you qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage
- [Compare Facilities](https://caregrader.com
/compare): Side-by-side comparison of up to 3 nursing homes

## Guides

- [How to Choose a Nursing Home](https://caregrader.com
/guides/how-to-choose-nursing-home): Data-driven framework for evaluating nursing homes using CMS data
- [Nursing Home vs Assisted Living](https://caregrader.com
/guides/nursing-home-vs-assisted-living): Key differences in care level, cost, regulation, and suitability
- [Understanding Inspection Reports](https://caregrader.com
/guides/understanding-inspection-reports): How to read CMS inspections, deficiency severity (A-L), and red flags
- [Nursing Home Visit Checklist](https://caregrader.com
/guides/visiting-nursing-home-checklist): What to look for, questions to ask during in-person visits
- [How to Pay for Nursing Home Care](https://caregrader.com
/guides/paying-for-nursing-home-care): Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, long-term care insurance explained

## Rankings

- [Best Nursing Homes by State](https://caregrader.com
/best-nursing-homes): Top-rated facilities in every state, ranked by CareGrader grade

## Top States

- [Texas Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/texas): Nursing homes in Texas
- [California Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/california): Nursing homes in California
- [Florida Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/florida): Nursing homes in Florida
- [New York Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/new-york): Nursing homes in New York
- [Ohio Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/ohio): Nursing homes in Ohio
- [Pennsylvania Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/pennsylvania): Nursing homes in Pennsylvania
- [Illinois Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/illinois): Nursing homes in Illinois
- [Indiana Nursing Homes](https://caregrader.com
/nursing-homes/indiana): Nursing homes in Indiana

## Data & Methodology

- CareGrader uses CMS Medicare Nursing Home Compare data for all ratings
- Health inspection grades are based on deficiency count, severity (A-L scale), and scope
- Staffing grades use Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) verified data — actual hours, not self-reported
- Quality measure grades track falls, infections, rehospitalizations, catheter use, and antipsychotic use
- Penalty grades account for fine amounts, payment denials, and Special Focus Facility (SFF) status
- Grade thresholds: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (below 60)
- Data is refreshed monthly when CMS publishes updated datasets

## Optional

- [Full Content Version](https://caregrader.com
/llms-full.txt): Extended version with detailed methodology and FAQ content