Key Dates and Information
Planned updates to the 2026 and 2027 scoring methodology are available to review
here. Two policies are also open for public comment.
- Fall 2025
- Spring 2026
- Planned Updates
Click here for the reporting periods of data used in the Fall 2025 Safety Grade.
Be sure to sign up for our hospital newsletter for all future announcements.
| Timeline |
|
Aug. 31
|
FALL DATA SNAPSHOT DATE
The data snapshot date is the date that Leapfrog will extract public data (i.e., download data published by CMS or submitted to Leapfrog or secondary data sources) to calculate Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. All data, including Leapfrog Hospital Survey Results, must be finalized by this date.
The fall 2025 Data Snapshot Date was extended to incorporate delayed CMS DRA HAC Data (released on September 4). Leapfrog is currently reviewing a new policy to account for delayed CMS data that is published within a reasonable timeframe.
Click here for more information about Leapfrog Hospital Survey deadlines. |
| Sept. 17 - Oct. 7 |
FALL COURTESY REVIEW PERIOD
As a courtesy to hospitals, Leapfrog will hold a Courtesy Safety Grade Review Period before the public release of each Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade update. The Review Period is an opportunity for hospitals to review the data for accuracy (i.e., identify recording errors, hospital name and address changes, etc.) on a secure website and review changes to the scoring methodology.
|
| Sept. 26 @ 2 PM ET |
FALL HOSPITAL SAFETY GRADE TOWN HALL CALL
Hospitals and other stakeholders were invited to a free Town Hall Call to hear about changes to the measures and scoring methodology, as well as details of the Courtesy Safety Grade Review Period and important deadlines.
Slides
Recording
Q & A Transcript
|
| Late Oct. |
Due to popular request from hospitals, Leapfrog will once again offer an Early 'A' notification period. Hospitals expected to earn an 'A' Safety Grade will be notified 3-4 weeks ahead of Leapfrog's public announcement, providing them additional time to prepare. |
| Nov. 3 - 12 |
FALL LETTER GRADE EMBARGO PERIOD
Following the close of the Courtesy Safety Grade Review Period, Leapfrog finalizes the data and establishes letter grade cut-points. Leapfrog then refreshes the Safety Grade Review website and hospitals are able to participate in a Letter Grade Embargo Period in which they can preview their letter grade prior to the public announcement.
|
| Nov. 13 |
FALL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT |
Click here for the anticipated reporting periods of the spring 2026 Safety Grade data. Please note that these are subject to CMS data availability on the Safety Grade Data Snapshot Date of January 31 and may change.
Be sure to sign up for our hospital newsletter for all future announcements.
| Timeline |
| Jan. 31 |
SPRING DATA SNAPSHOT DATE
The data snapshot date is the date that Leapfrog will extract public data (i.e., download data published by CMS or submitted to Leapfrog or secondary data sources) to calculate Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. All data, including Leapfrog Hospital Survey Results, must be finalized by this date.
Click here for more information about Leapfrog Hospital Survey deadlines.
|
| Feb./March |
SPRING COURTESY REVIEW PERIOD
As a courtesy to hospitals, Leapfrog will hold a Courtesy Safety Grade Review Period before the public release of each Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade update. The Review Period is an opportunity for hospitals to review the data for accuracy (i.e., identify recording errors, hospital name and address changes, etc.) on a secure website and review changes to the scoring methodology.
|
| March TBD |
SPRING HOSPITAL SAFETY GRADE TOWN HALL CALL
Hospitals and other stakeholders are invited to a free Town Hall Call to hear about changes to the measures and scoring methodology, as well as details of the Courtesy Safety Grade Review Period and important deadlines. The Town Hall Call includes a 40-minute presentation and a 20-minute Q&A session.
|
| Late March |
EARLY 'A' NOTIFICATION PERIOD
Hospitals expected to earn an 'A' Safety Grade will be notified 3-4 weeks ahead of Leapfrog's public announcement, providing them additional time to prepare.
|
| April |
SPRING LETTER EMBARGO PERIOD
Following the close of the Courtesy Safety Grade Review Period, Leapfrog finalizes the data and establishes letter grade cut-points. Leapfrog then refreshes the Safety Grade Review website and hospitals are able to participate in a Letter Grade Embargo Period in which they can preview their letter grade prior to the public announcement.
|
| May |
SPRING PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
|
Request for Public Comments: Two Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade Policies
Leapfrog requests public comments on an amendment to the Safety Grade Data Snapshot Date policy that would take effect in spring 2026. We also invite public comments on our policy for shared CMS Certification Numbers. A full description of the policies is available here. Comments may be submitted here through December 14, 2025. Leapfrog will publish the final policies and responses to public comments by December 31, 2025.
Planned Updates to the 2026 & 2027 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade Methodology
On August 14, 2025, Leapfrog published planned updates to the Hospital Safety Grade methodology and held a public comment period through October 14, 2025. We received a variety of thoughtful comments from different perspectives, which were helpful in finalizing the methodology. We thank all the commenters for their insights. Click here to download and review the final updates to the methodology as well as responses to the comments received.
Be sure to sign up for our hospital newsletter for all future announcements.
For questions about the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, or to update information about your facility, contact our Help Desk.
