Baby boomers are turning 65 years old and qualifying for Medicare health plans in record numbers. As many as 11,000 new seniors are retiring each day. But how do they know if they’re enrolled in a high-quality plan? Very few plans receive the top Medicare rating. As they make decisions about health plans, it is more important than ever for seniors and their caregivers to have access to information about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings, and the 5-star Special Enrollment Period that’s underway through November.
A Better Way to Compare Medicare Health Plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services created the Medicare Star Quality Ratings and the 5-star Special Enrollment Period to encourage enrollment in high-quality Medicare plans. CMS rates plans on a scale of one to five stars, with five being excellent.
The Benefits of a 5-Star Medicare Plan
Medicare’s 5-star plans offer the highest quality care and service available. In addition, Medicare members don’t have to wait until the traditional October Open Enrollment Period to enroll. They can join or upgrade to a 5-star plan almost any time of year.
According to CMS, seniors and individuals with disabilities must meet certain eligibility criteria and live where a 5-star plan is offered. Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed by CMS each year and may change from one year to the next.
A recent press release from Kaiser Permanente touched on this information, as well as the fact that KP leads the nation with the most 5-star Medicare health plans for 2013. Of 563 Medicare Advantage plans, Kaiser Permanente has six of the 11 top-rated, 5-star plans. For more on the CMS 5-Star Quality Rating System, click here.
