Health Outcomes Survey (HOS)

The Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) is an annual survey that is sent to a random sampling of Medicare members. This is a Medicare-only survey intended to evaluate how members perceive key aspects of their care, including addressing the effectiveness of care such as lack of physical activity, the risk of falls, and urinary incontinence. HOS directly impacts CMS Star Metrics.

The HOS is administered to a random sample of Medicare members from August - November. The same patients who are still on the health plan are surveyed again two years later to assess change in physical and mental health status.

When completing the HOS, members are responding to their own health status and recommendations given to them by their doctor.

Below are the HOS CMS Star measures and corresponding questions in the HOS.

HOS CMS Star Measures
Measure	Description: Percentage of sampled Medicare members 65 years and older who/whose
Monitoring Physical Activity	Have had a doctor's visit in the past 12 months and Who received advice to start, increase or maintain their level of exercise or physical activity
Reducing the Risk of Falling	Have had a fall or had problems with balance or walking in the past 12 months, Who were seen by a practitioner in the past 12 months, and Who received a recommendation for how to prevent falls or treat problems with balance or walking from their current practitioner
Improving Bladder Control	Reported having any urine leakage in the past six months and Who discussed treatment options for their urinary incontinence with a provider
Improving or Maintaining Mental Health (IMMH)	Mental health status was the same or better than expected after two years.
Improving or Maintaining Physical Health (IMPH)	Physical health status was the same or better than expected after two years.

Review the HOS Tips for Improving Patient Experience (PDF) and CAHPS and HOS Provider Resource Guide (PDF) for more information, recommendations, and discussion tips.