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Health Outcomes Survey (HOS)

What is HOS?

The Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) is an annual survey conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) given to Medicare Advantage plan members on a variety of health topics. This survey is designed to see how health insurance providers, like Select Health, help members maintain and improve health over time.

How does HOS impact me as a provider? 

HOS data is included in the Medicare star ratings, which affects MA quality bonus payments for participating providers. By delivering high-quality care and preparing patients to answer survey questions positively, providers ensure the best possible patient experience. 

What does HOS measure?

Survey participants are asked a variety of questions based on 5 categories of their health and wellbeing.

Physical health

Mental health

Physical activity

Fall risk

Bladder control

The following is an overview of the areas CMS emphasizes in the HOS survey to guide providers in supporting their Select Health members with their care. You will also find recommendations for assisting members who may participate in the survey.

Physical health

Senior woman having a doctor visit
Example HOS questions
Tips for providing care
Generally, how would you rate your overall health?
Encourage regular check-ups and open conversations about overall health to identify any concerns early.
Does your health make it hard for you to complete moderate activities, such as light housework, golfing, or walking up and down several flights of stairs?
Promote healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced nutrition, physical activity, and pain management to support overall physical health.
During the past 4 weeks, how much did pain interfere with your normal work or daily activities?
If a patient reports pain or difficulty with physical activities, consider referring them to a specialist or physical therapist for further evaluation and targeted treatment.

 

Additional resources

Through Select Health’s Healthy Living Reward program, when members complete wellness activities, such as getting their annual physical, they get rewarded with an allowance of money. They can spend this money on fitness equipment, wellness services, home essentials, and more.

Mental health

Happy woman smiling and raising her arms
Example HOS questions
Tips for providing care
During the past 4 weeks, have you had any challenges with your work or other regular daily activities because of emotional problems? For example, you accomplished less than you would like, or didn’t do work or other activities as carefully as usual?
Encourage patients to regularly check in with themselves about their mood, energy levels, and emotional wellbeing. Keep track of any changes or patterns over time.
How much of the time during the past 4 weeks have you felt calm and peaceful? Did you have a lot of energy? Have you felt downhearted or blue?
Conduct regular screenings and promote open conversations about mental health. Emphasize that discussing feelings like anxiety, depression, or irritability is important and normal, and that help is available if needed.
Looking back to 1 year ago, how would you rate your emotional problems (such as feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable) compared to how they are now?
Recommend self-care practices such as maintaining social connections, engaging in relaxing activities, and seeking professional support when necessary.

 

Additional resources

Select Health offers NovumHealth support services to Medicare members who need additional behavioral health support. This service connects members with a care professional who matches their identity, culture, and location.

Physical activity

Senior couple doing yoga
Example HOS questions
Tips for providing care
In the past 12 months, have you talked with your doctor or other health provider about your level of exercise or physical activity?
Encourage patients to regularly check in with themselves about their mood, energy levels, and emotional wellbeing. Keep track of any changes or patterns over time.
In the past 12 months, did your doctor or other health provider encourage you to start, increase, or maintain your level of exercise or physical activity?
Discuss any barriers to physical activity, such as pain, mobility, or lack of motivation, and collaborate on strategies to overcome them.

 

Additional resources

Some Select Health Medicare plans have access to the Silver&Fit: Healthy Aging and Exercise program, which provides fitness options, digital tools, and healthy aging resources designed to meet the unique needs of members.

Fall risk

Senior man with a broken foot
Example HOS questions
Tips for providing care
In the past 12 months, have you talked with your doctor or other health provider about falling or problems with balance or walking?
Discuss fall risk openly with patients, including any recent issues with balance or walking. Encourage honest communication about previous falls or concerns.
In the past 12 months have you had a fall or had a problem with balance or walking?
Assess each patient’s environment for potential hazards, such as loose rugs or poor lighting, and provide guidance to reduce the risk of falls.
Has your doctor or other health provider done anything to help you prevent falls or treat problems with balance or walking?
Recommend regular balance and strength exercises and consider referrals to physical or occupational therapy for personalized fall prevention strategies.

 

Additional resources

Select Health offers a variety of fall prevention resources for members through Fall Prevention Pathways, including free classes, videos, and flyers.

Bladder control

Woman meeting with her doctor
Example HOS questions
Tips for providing care
In the past 6 months, have you experienced leaking of urine? Have you talked to a doctor or other healthcare provider about possible solutions
Encourage patients to openly discuss any bladder control issues, including frequency and severity of symptoms, to better assess their needs.
During the past 6 months, how much did leaking of urine make you change your daily activities or interfere with your sleep?
Explain available treatment options, including pelvic floor exercises, behavioral therapies, and potential medical interventions, to support patients.

 

Additional resources

Select Health members can learn more about urinary incontinence from the Healthy Living blog, including risk factors, prevention tips, and treatment options.

Want to learn more?

To learn more about HOS and how you can best support your Medicare Advantage patients, please reach out to your regional provider representative. 

Region
Contact Information
Colorado
COProviderRelations@selecthealth.org
Idaho
IDProviderRelations@selecthealth.org
Nevada
NVProviderRelations@selecthealth.org
Utah
UTProviderRelations@selecthealth.org

 

At-risk patients

While we want to ensure every patient receives appropriate care, it can be especially helpful to focus attention on those who are at higher risk. Your provider representative can provide a list of at-risk patients for each HOS category so you can prioritize your attention where it’s needed the most.