Columbia VA receives top scores in latest CMS hospital ratings

CMS’s hospital ratings are based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. A higher star rating, out of 5, indicates better performance on these quality measures. 

Within the last year, Columbia VA has instituted a number of improvements to better serve Veterans. These include opening a state-of-the-art 22,000-square-foot clinic in Florence, S.C., and a 26,000-square-foot clinic in Rock Hill, S.C., both designed to deliver accessible, high-quality care close to home. Columbia VA has also earned national recognition, including being named a 5-Star CMS Facility for Nurse Communication by Becker’s Hospital Review, ranking among the nation’s 313 Quietest Hospitals, and leading the way in reducing Mental Health wait times.

"These ratings highlight the excellent care Columbia VA provides,” said David Brett Vess, acting executive director and CEO. “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so Columbia VA works better for the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors we are charged with serving.” 

As part of CMS’s 2025 ratings, 77% of VA hospitals that received an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating received 4 or 5 stars, and no VA hospitals received a one-star rating. More than 90% of VA hospitals with ratings maintained or improved their 2024-star rating.

View the star ratings and methodology for the ratings.

Overall VA improvements during the second Trump Administration

• The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20, 2025.
• VA has opened 16 new health care clinics, expanding access for Veterans around the country.
• VA is spending an additional $800 million on infrastructure improvements to ensure department facilities provide safe and effective patient care.
• Since Jan. 20, VA has offered nearly 1 million health care appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching an all-time fiscal-year high of 2.52 million ratings claims for FY25 as of Aug. 8.
• VA has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
• VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.
• VA is accelerating the deployment of its integrated electronic health record system.
• VA partnered with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify and recover $106 million in duplicate billing.
• VA has brought tens of thousands of VA employees back to the office, where we can work better as a team to serve Veterans.
• In fiscal year 2025 through June, VA has housed 37,534 homeless Veterans. 

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James Branch, Public Affairs Officer