Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System earns top marks in new report

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System has aced their report card, earning a five star-rating for the second year in a row from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Last year we were one of three, this year we were one of only two hospitals in the state of Alabama to achieve a five star,” said CAVHCS C.E.O. Amir Farooqi. ” Really proud of our team, and if you have a chance to meet our in-patient care team there are folks who truly put their heart into our veterans. “

The report is based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care.

Farooqi says the report is a result of hard work and consistency, and they won’t become complacent.

“This is the work we do every day,” touted Farooqi. “This is constantly working to improve so there’s no magic wand to this, it’s just the hard work and making sure that we keep that concentration, keep that effort towards the care, making sure we’re listening to our veterans. “

Central Alabama joins a positive trend in nationwide veteran care.

“77 percent of VA hospitals across the nation earned either a four star or five-star,” Farooqi cited. “None of them earned a one-star. I think that really says something about the care the VA is putting forward to our veterans.”

These recent reports are extra encouraging, because just over a decade ago, an audit uncovered that patient scheduling and other information was deliberately altered at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care Administration to disguise long wait times for care.

In fact, at the time, 57 percent of employees surveyed claimed they received instruction to manipulate wait times.

It seems those problems have mostly been resolved, since “timely and effective care” is a part of the evaluation.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

Copyright 2025 WSFA. All rights reserved.