How the Novita Way Data Score works
The Novita Way Data Score is a 0 to 100 summary of public Medicare data for each nursing home, so families can compare quickly. It's a starting point, not a replacement for a tour or the official record.
Our rules
- Public data only. Every input comes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Care Compare data, October 2026 release.
- Money never changes scores or order. Communities can't pay to raise their score or their place in a list. Partner status never affects either.
- Same formula for everyone. Scores update when CMS publishes new data.
What goes in
| Part | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| CMS overall star rating | 45 | Medicare's own 1 to 5 star summary |
| CMS health inspection rating | 15 | Results of state health inspections |
| Nurse staffing hours | 10 | Total nurse hours per resident per day compared with the U.S. median (full credit at 125% of median) |
| Nursing staff turnover | 10 | Full credit at or below the U.S. median; less credit as turnover rises above it |
| Penalties (last 3 years) | 10 | Fines and payment denials: none = full credit |
| Complaint deficiencies | 10 | Problems found when investigating complaints |
If a part has no data, we score using the parts that do. Then: minus 15 if Medicare shows an abuse icon, and minus 20 for a Special Focus Facility. Homes without a CMS overall rating aren't scored.
What the numbers mean
- 85 to 100: Excellent
- 70 to 84: Strong
- 55 to 69: Average
- 40 to 54: Below average
- Under 40: Concerns
Assisted living
Florida doesn't publish star ratings or staffing data for assisted living, so we don't score assisted living facilities. Check each facility's license and inspection reports on FloridaHealthFinder.
Limits
Data can lag months behind real life, and no number captures how a place feels or whether it fits your loved one. Always tour, ask questions, and read the full inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare. Spot an error? Call (727) 632-8291.