Medicare Star Ratings are designed to help seniors compare Medicare Advantage plans when deciding which plan to enroll in.  They range from one to five stars, with one being the lowest rating and five stars the highest. Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans include Medicare Parts A and B coverage, and some also include prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D).1

Older adults planning to enroll in Medicare Advantage or switch to a new Medicare Advantage should consider using Medicare Star Ratings to help in their decision making.2 These ratings are released ahead of open enrollment and are designed to make comparing plans easier.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare Parts A and B into a single coverage option.3
  • The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issues Medicare Star Ratings to help consumers compare Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans ahead of the annual open enrollment period.4
  • Medicare Star Ratings range from one to five stars, with one being the lowest rating and five stars the highest.2
  • Medicare Advantage plans with higher star ratings may offer more features and benefits than lower-rated plans.

What Are Medicare Star Ratings?

Medicare Star Ratings is a rating system developed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These ratings are designed to help older adults who are planning to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time or switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan evaluate their options. Medicare Star Ratings also extend to Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.42

The Medicare Star Ratings system operates on a scale from one to five. A one-star rating represents the lowest score, while a five-star rating represents the highest.2 The ratings are released annually ahead of the fall Medicare open enrollment period, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 in 2022.4

 

Medicare Star Ratings are not the same as the five-star quality rating system that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services uses to evaluate nursing home facilities.25

How Do Medicare Star Ratings Work?

Medicare Star Ratings are based on up to 38 unique quality and performance measures. The ratings apply to Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Ratings take into account types of factors like:6

  • Customer support
  • Complaints about the plan
  • Member experience
  • How many people choose to leave the plan
  • Range of annual screenings and preventive services offered
  • Speed with which appointments are obtained
  • Chronic condition management
  • Drug safety and drug pricing accuracy

The ratings do not take into account the cost of the plan itself, including premiums, co-insurance, and co-pays. Instead, the Medicare Star Ratings are meant to gauge overall satisfaction with a specific plan and the range of coverage, services, and support provided.