Medicare Advantage Star Ratings
Medicare Surveys Members to Help Rate Medicare Advantage Plans
To measure performance, Medicare developed a star-rating system for Medicare Advantage plans. Plans are evaluated each year and scored on a scale of 1-5 stars. Medicare Advantage plans that receive five stars have the highest performance and patient satisfaction scores.
The star ratings formula evaluates Medicare Advantage plans in terms of:
- Preventive care
- Chronic care
- Customer service
- Disenrollment rates and complaints
- Part D prescription drug coverage
Medicare Advantage star ratings can help people choose a plan that’s right for them.* However, to award these ratings, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reaches out to current members through the CAHPS Health Plan Survey. It’s developed by the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) program and funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Medicare star ratings are released in October, in time to shop for Medicare Advantage plans during the annual enrollment period.
Medicare’s CAHPS survey
Medicare uses this survey to better understand their member experience. Every March, CMS sends the survey to certain members of Medicare Advantage plans. If you’re chosen to complete a survey, you’ll get a notification letter from CMS — not from a Medicare Advantage plan.
Answers to the CAHPS survey are anonymous and your Medicare Advantage plan does not have access. Complete the survey via phone, mail or online.
Survey questions will ask you to share your thoughts about your Medicare Advantage plan over the last six months. It’ll include questions about your primary care doctor, prescription drug coverage, preventive health benefits and customer service.
If you receive a survey, do not throw it away! Participating in the CAHPS survey can help you get the most from your healthcare dollars.
Medicare Advantage plans that receive high scores on the survey are rewarded with better premiums. That allows plans to invest in more robust Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits such as food, transportation, additional OTC drugs and lower copays – or no copays.
Contact us
Whether or not you receive a survey in the mail, Prominence Medicare can help. If you’re a current plan member, call 855-969-5882. We presently offer plans in Florida, Nevada and Texas.
*All benefits not available on all plans
Additional resources from Prominence Medicare
Enroll in a Prominence Health Plan Medicare Advantage plan.
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