Press Releases
October 11, 2019

BETTER MEDICARE ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON 2020 STAR RATINGS

Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement today that seniors will have access to more high-quality Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans in 2020:

“On the eve of the 2020 Open Enrollment period, it is very good news to hear that 52% of seniors with Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage will be in four- or five-Star plans, and that 81% of Medicare Advantage enrollees will be enrolled in health plans with these high-quality scores. This is an increase from 67% of enrollees in the highest rated plans in 2017. The drive to meet quality measurements is a proven success that will benefit the expected 24 million Medicare beneficiaries who will enroll in Medicare Advantage plans in 2020.

Increased access to high-quality Medicare Advantage plans, improved information on plan choices, and better decision-making tools that offer cost comparisons during Open Enrollment, are all giving beneficiaries the opportunity to make the right coverage choice for themselves.

Given consumer worries about high out-of-pocket costs, this news shows both the quality and financial value of Medicare Advantage for seniors and people with disabilities. As enrollment numbers show, seniors living on fixed incomes, and those with multiple chronic conditions, recognize the value of cost protections, care coordination, and extra benefits like wellness programs is important to their health and well-being.

We commend CMS for the progress they have made in the past year as they improved understanding and awareness of Medicare choices by offering clear and understandable information about the options beneficiaries have in how they receive their Medicare benefits. It is important that CMS remain an unbiased and trusted source of information as the numbers of seniors grow and options become more personalized.

Knowing you can make a choice using quality ratings, as well as information on supplemental benefits, and total costs will give seniors the ability to become active choosers in their health care. We applaud CMS for continuing to recognize the high- quality care and value that Medicare Advantage provides to beneficiaries, and we encourage Congress to continue efforts that ensure Medicare Advantage remains a robust option for beneficiaries.”

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