Do You Know Your Medicare Advantage Star Rating?

 

The Medicare Advantage Star Rating is a system that measures the quality of Medicare Advantage plans. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) assigns each plan a rating from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the highest. The ratings are based on a variety of factors, including quality of care, customer satisfaction, and claims data.

CMS updates the star ratings each year, and they take effect on January 1 of the following year. You can find the star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans on the Medicare Plan Finder tool.

What do the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings mean?

• 5 stars: Excellent
• 4 stars: Good
• 3 stars: Average
• 2 stars: Below average
• 1 star: Poor

Factors that affect Medicare Advantage Star Ratings

• Quality of care: This includes how well the plan's providers manage patients with chronic conditions, preventive care rates, and patient experience with care.
• Customer satisfaction: This includes how satisfied patients are with the plan's customer service, access to care, and overall experience.
• Claims data: This includes how well the plan manages costs and provides care that is medically necessary.

How to use Medicare Advantage Star Ratings to compare plans

When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, it is important to look at the star ratings for each plan. However, it is also important to consider other factors, such as the plan's costs, benefits, and network of providers.

If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan with a star rating of 3 stars or lower, you may want to talk to your doctor or other healthcare providers to get their opinion on the plan.

Important to note

The Medicare Advantage Star Ratings are a good tool for comparing Medicare Advantage plans, but they are not the only factor to consider when choosing a plan. You should also consider the plan's costs, benefits, and network of providers. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is now here to review your plan with a licensed agent.