RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The VA Black Hills Health Care System has earned a 5-star rating in the annual Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, marking the highest rating possible and an improvement from its 4-star rating last year.
The CMS ratings evaluate hospitals across five quality categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Hospitals receive ratings on a five-star scale, with higher scores reflecting stronger performance in quality measures.
“Receiving a 5-star rating from CMS is a reflection of the dedication our entire team brings to caring for Veterans every day,” said Spencer Mion, director of the VA Black Hills Health Care System. “This rating underscores our commitment to delivering safe, timely and high-quality care, and we are proud to contribute to VA’s continued nationwide excellence.”
Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 78% of VA hospitals receiving a CMS rating earned four or five stars in 2026. Officials said it marks the fourth consecutive year VA hospitals have outperformed non-VA care systems and the second straight year no VA hospital received a one-star rating.
The percentage of VA hospitals receiving four- or five-star ratings over the past four years includes:
- 2023: 67%
- 2024: 58%
- 2025: 77%
- 2026: 78%
Hospital quality ratings and information about the CMS methodology are available through CMS facility reporting resources.
For more information, contact Public Affairs Officer Tom Johnson at Thomas.Johnson4@va.gov or 605-490-8014.
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