Published
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a five-star quality rating system to evaluate the performance of Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans. This Star Rating system enables beneficiaries, payers, and others to compare plans across multiple dimensions. CMS publishes the Star Ratings each year – usually in October -- to help beneficiaries find the best plan for them and to determine MA quality bonus payments to plans. The lowest-ranking plans receive one star, and the highest ranking plans receive five stars. The 2021 Star Ratings are now available on CMS’ website.