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When older adults consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage (MA) health plan they may consider the plan’s Star Rating as a factor. Medicare’s Star Ratings program is designed to help older adults compare MA plans based on quality and performance. It is a scale from 1-5, with five being the highest, that considers quality and patient experience data, as well as health plan operations.
Healthcare practices can play a key role in patient experience.
Consider this: When practices consistently provide high-quality care to patients in a timely manner, they can directly impact the number of stars a MA plan receives. Specifically, the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) score comprises 38% of plans’ Star Ratings–and 62% of Star-related CAHPS survey questions are geared toward the patient’s experience with their physician’s office.
Therefore, participating in plans with high Star Ratings shows that your practice, too, holds itself to high standards. Recognition through the Star Rating system requires dedicated and coordinated care teams working within patient-centered partnerships. It validates not only the health plan but the patient care benefits delivered by the providers who participate in it.
So, what are some ways providers can positively influence Star Ratings?