CMS issues 2017 Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plan star ratings

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today published at the Medicare Plan Finder star ratings for 2017 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. About half of MA plans with prescription drug coverage and stand-alone prescription drug plans earned an overall rating of four stars or higher, CMS said. The 2017 star ratings are adjusted to account for the socioeconomic status of enrollees. MA plans with prescription drug coverage are rated on up to 44 quality and performance measures; MA plans without prescription drug coverage are rated on up to 32 measures; and stand-alone prescription drug plans are rated on up to 15 measures. Outcomes measures are weighted three times as much as process measures, and patient experience and access measures 1.5 times as much as process measures. Part C and D improvement measures receive a weight of five. Open enrollment for 2017 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans begins Saturday.