CMS Releases 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, Shifts Emerge
In its roundup of 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings, Becker's Hospital Review reports that CMS released the annual ratings on Oct. 8, showing fewer five-star contracts (15, down from 22) and more low-performing contracts (32 at 2.5 stars or below, up from 23). Humana posted the strongest rebound, with 95% of its MA members now in four-star-plus plans versus 20% last year, while HCSC and Centene posted the lowest average scores and are dropping hundreds of counties from their footprints. CMS added two new Part D measures and tripled the weight of two health-outcome measures, largely preserving its prior methodology despite an adverse court ruling on 20 measures that the administration is appealing. Alignment Healthcare sued CMS on Oct. 9, alleging ten measures were adopted without required notice-and-comment rulemaking.