Medicare Advantage Star Ratings

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Quick answer

CMS rates every Medicare Advantage plan from 1 to 5 stars each year, measuring quality, member experience, customer service, and care management. Five stars is excellent and below 3 is below average. A 5-star plan also unlocks a special enrollment period to join almost any time of year.

Star ratings are a free, objective quality tool. Here is what Medicare Advantage star ratings measure and how to use them.

What do star ratings measure?

CMS assigns Medicare Advantage star ratings annually based on dozens of measures grouped into categories like preventive care and screenings, management of chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and the accuracy of the plan's drug pricing and complaint handling. Plans earn 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being excellent and anything under 3 considered below average. The ratings are published each fall before the Annual Election Period so you can factor quality into your choice. They're a rare apples-to-apples measure across plans. A 1-800-MEDIGAP advisor can show you the star ratings of every plan in your area.

Why star ratings matter when you choose

Star ratings help you look past marketing and judge a plan on real performance. Higher-rated plans tend to deliver better care coordination, faster service, and fewer complaints, which matters most if you manage ongoing conditions. There's also a practical perk: if a 5-star plan is available in your area, you can use a special enrollment period to switch to it once between December 8 and November 30, outside the usual windows. Ratings can change yearly, so recheck each fall. To compare star ratings alongside cost and network for your local plans, call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) for a free review.

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Frequently asked questions

What do Medicare Advantage star ratings mean?+

Star ratings are CMS quality scores from 1 to 5 stars, based on care quality, member experience, customer service, and care management. Five stars is excellent and below 3 is below average. They let you compare plans on real performance, published each fall before the Annual Election Period.

What is a good Medicare Advantage star rating?+

A good rating is 4 stars or higher, indicating above-average quality and service. Five stars is excellent. Plans rated below 3 stars are considered below average and have flagged performance issues. A 1-800-MEDIGAP advisor can show the ratings for plans in your area.

Can I switch to a 5-star plan anytime?+

Almost. If a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan is available in your area, you can use the 5-star Special Enrollment Period to switch to it once between December 8 and November 30, outside the normal windows. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP to check whether a 5-star plan is offered near you.

How often are star ratings updated?+

CMS updates Medicare Advantage star ratings once a year, releasing them each fall before the Annual Election Period. A plan's rating can rise or fall year to year, so it's wise to recheck your plan's current rating annually before deciding to keep or switch it.

Should I choose a plan based only on star ratings?+

No. Star ratings are one important factor, but you should also confirm the plan covers your doctors and medications, compare the out-of-pocket maximum and premiums, and check extra benefits. A high rating means little if the plan doesn't fit your needs. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP to weigh all factors.

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