How we source records
Haven brings together official records, community information, and consumer reviews to help families prepare a shortlist. Each source answers different questions. Check the source dates and confirm current services, availability, and prices with the community.
How the Haven Scout score works
Scout is Haven’s own 0–100 calculation from reported CMS nursing-home fields. It appears on some cards and profiles and is used to order some directories. It is not an official CMS rating, an inspection by Haven, or a prediction of an individual resident’s experience. The starting weights are:
- Overall CMS star rating — 40%
- CMS staffing star rating — 25%
- Health inspection rating — 20%
- Quality measure rating — 15%
Each available star rating is divided by five, multiplied by its weight, and combined on a 100-point scale. When a rating is missing, its weight is excluded and the remaining weights are scaled to total 100%. No available ratings means no Scout score. A score based on fewer fields is not directly equivalent to one with all fields present.
We then subtract 12 points for a reported abuse flag, 18 points when the imported special-focus status contains “SFF” or “Special Focus,” and five points when reported total federal fines exceed $50,000. Adjustments can combine. The result is rounded to a whole number and limited to 0–100. These reflect the imported record, not a new determination of current status.
For example, four reported four-star ratings produce 80 points before adjustments. A reported abuse flag would reduce that example to 68. The calculation is a research aid with weights chosen by Haven; it has not been validated as a predictor of care outcomes. Review the underlying ratings and dated findings.
Labels such as “Exceptional,” “Strong,” and “Use Caution” describe Scout score bands, not an independent endorsement. Assisted-living license records do not receive these federal stars.
Where our data comes from
- CMS Care Compare — federal ratings, staffing, inspection deficiencies, fines, and ownership for skilled nursing facilities. Nationwide. Updated from the official dataset; each record keeps its source and vintage.
- State licensing agencies — assisted living and memory care are licensed at the state level. We show licenses only where we have an identified source. Coverage is incomplete, and a dated roster or license entry does not establish current admission eligibility. Profiles keep source-specific dates and qualifications.
- Modeled planning ranges — survey medians adjusted by BEA regional price parities, labeled as estimates. These consumer-price adjustments do not measure local senior-care prices. For independent living, assisted living and memory care, the lower and upper scenarios are 80% and 125% of the central estimate; they are not observed price limits. Nursing-home scenarios combine semi-private and private-room benchmarks. Where metro data is missing, state or national estimates are used. A community must still quote an all-in price in writing.
Reviews and directory order
Consumer ratings retain their platform, review count, and retrieval date. They reflect reviewers’ experiences and are separate from government inspections. Missing reviews do not imply poor care. Refined search results are alphabetical; some nursing-home directories use Scout order. A listing’s position does not establish the best fit for your loved one. Partnership interest does not change public facts.
How we make money
Haven is free for families, including our guides and planning tools. Participating communities may pay Haven a placement fee when a referred resident moves in, under a separate agreement. Partnership does not change public ratings or care records. You choose which communities to explore.
Paying for a Brief does not change anyone's CMS fields, license row, or position in a directory.
Corrections
Senior care details change. If a license, ownership line, or cost band looks wrong, email info@havenforseniors.com. Always confirm current specifics with the community before you decide.
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