What are star ratings?
Medicare developed its star rating system to give people with Medicare an objective measure of a plan’s performance. The rating system gives people a way to consider quality as well as cost as they make enrollment decisions. Medicare evaluates plans every year and scores them on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars indicating the highest performance. The results are posted every fall, usually in October.
When it comes to quality, don’t take our word for it. Take Medicare’s.
When most people shop for a Medicare plan, they look at benefits and cost. But be sure to check the plan’s star rating. It tells how well the plan is performing and how satisfied members are with the plan. A higher star rating means a higher quality plan.
Much of the information Medicare uses to rate a plan is based on data, like member records and claims. But an understanding of member experience can’t be found in data alone. For that, Medicare goes straight to the source and surveys actual plan members. Where can people find information on a plan’s star rating?
Medicare takes into consideration a range of items, including:
Preventive Care
How well the plan helps members stay healthy and improve their health
Chronic Care
How well the plan helps members with long-term conditions manage their care
Customer Service
The quality of call center services and how well the plan processes appeals and new enrollments in a timely manner
Disenrollments or
Complaints
How many members left the plan, submitted complaints or had issues getting services
Part D
Coverage
Including drug plan pricing and patient safety
Member
Experience
How satisfied members are with the plan
learn more about star ratings
Why are star ratings important?
Medicare created its star rating system to provide consumers with an easy, unbiased way to compare plans. When most people shop for a Medicare plan, they look at benefits and cost. But when you’re comparing plans that are similar in cost and coverage, look at the star rating. That tells you how well the plan is performing and how satisfied members are with the plan. A higher star rating means a higher quality plan.
Medicare reviews plan performance yearly and releases new star ratings each fall. This means plan ratings may change from year to year.
If a plan receives a low star rating (less than 3 stars) for three years in a row, they are issued a warning from Medicare.
Where can I find information on a plan’s star rating?
You can compare plans and their star ratings side by side at medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. You’ll see a gold star icon next to 5-star plans and a red alert icon next to low-performing plans. New star ratings come out each October and apply for the next calendar year.
If a plan has no rating, that means the plan is new or there might not be enough information for a rating to be done.
Can I enroll in a Peoples Health plan outside of the Annual Enrollment Period?
Most people can change their coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7.
However, there are exceptions that allow you to enroll outside of this period. For example, you may qualify for a special enrollment period if you are new to Medicare, have Medicaid or move.
Star RAtings Summaries
2024 Medicare Star Ratings for Peoples Health Plans
Star ratings for HMO-POS plans under contract H1961:
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge Area
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Northshore
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Southland
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Rural Southeast
- Peoples Health Medicare Advantage LA-0004 (HMO-POS)
- Peoples Health Choices Gold (HMO-POS)
Star ratings for PPO plans under contract H4544:
Star ratings for dual-eligible special needs plans under contract H1961:
Star ratings for 2024 updated by Medicare in October 2023.
2025 Medicare Star Ratings for Peoples Health Plans
Star ratings for HMO-POS plans under contract H1961:
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge Area
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Northshore
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Southland
- Peoples Health Choices 65 (HMO-POS) Rural Southeast
- Peoples Health Medicare Advantage Giveback LA-4 (HMO-POS)
- Peoples Health Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx LA (HMO-POS)
- Peoples Health Choices Gold (HMO-POS)
- Peoples Health Complete Care LA-5 (HMO-POS C-SNP)
- Peoples Health Complete Care LA-6 (HMO-POS C-SNP)
- Peoples Health Complete Care LA-7 (HMO-POS C-SNP)
Star ratings for PPO plans under contract H4544:
Star ratings for dual-eligible special needs plans under contract H1961:
Star ratings for 2025 updated by Medicare in October 2024.
*Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Peoples Health plans under Medicare contract H1961 are rated 4 out of 5 stars for 2025.
