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ALPENA — The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated their ratings last week, giving MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena a 5-out-of-5 star rating and a 4-out-of-5 patient survey rating.

The Northeast Michigan hospital is one of 13 hospitals in Michigan to receive the highest overall ranking for Medicare and Medicaid services.

The rating is measured by five categories and with numerous levels of subcategories for all five. The Alpena hospital reported four of seven measures in the mortality category, with an average similar to the national level.

The safety of care category had six out of eight measures reported with all reaching the national average. Readmission had nine of 11 reported with two above average and seven at the national level. ‘Patient Experience’ had all eight measures reported, but is in a separate rating.

The last category was timely and effective care, which had 10 of 12 measures reported; however, the measures were not specified by CMS.

Michael Erickson, president of MyMichigan Health Center Alpena, said he shared the results with the board of directors on Thursday and is excited about the good news.

“I think the rating reflects the good work and care our staff puts in for patients,” Erickson said. “We’re really just excited and happy to be recognized as one of the highest ranked hospitals.”

Erickson said the ratings are given every year and are similar to the hospital’s grade given by the Leapfrog Group — a Washington D.C.-based hospital safety group.

The Leapfrog grade reflects safety for hospitals, which was previously announced to be a C this year. All of MyMichigan’s health centers received a C, which was speculated by the organization to be a result from issues to submit the survey in its entirety.

MyMichigan officials said the errors have been corrected for the Leapfrog survey and they expect higher grades next year.

The patient survey rating from CMS had 677 completed forms — a 30% response rate. The previous rating had a category titled ‘Patient Experience’ and had eight measures to look at. The patient survey had 10 separate questions and responses CMS was looking for from patients. Of the 10, the Alpena hospital was above the national average for seven of the responses.

78% of patients of the Alpena hospital said their doctors always communicated well, which was below the average by 1%, but was on par with Michigan’s level.

Of the 677 surveys submitted, about 427 people, or 63%, recommended the hospital. The national average is 69% and the state average is 68%. Patients said they always received help as soon as they wanted, with a 12% higher score compared to the national average.