Each year CMS publishes star ratings to measure the quality of health and drug services from Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans, or Part D plans.
The star ratings system helps Medicare consumers compare the quality of Medicare health and drug plans being offered so they are empowered to make the best healthcare decisions for them.
Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage contracts are rated on up to 40 unique quality and performance measures. Medicare Advantage-only contracts are rated on up to 30 measures, and Part D contracts are rated on up to 12 measures.
This year, CMS named six Medicare plans as "low performing" in its Medicare Plan Finder, published on Oct. 13. Last year, only one contract was considered low performing.
The six plans with a low performing icon for 2024 for consistently low quality ratings:
Buckeye Health Plan Community Solutions
WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona
SilverSummit Healthplan
WellCare Health Insurance of North Carolina
Zing Health
Clear Spring Health Insurance Company