The number of Medicare Part D prescription drug plan members who will be in plans with four stars or higher increased to 27.6% for 2020, according to a new report from CMS. Last year that number was in the single digits, represented a marked improvement. Patients and plans both win with high quality care, as plans receive financial incentives for achieving strong metrics. Some feel that the criteria for achieving high ratings may be too relaxed. If this dramatic upward growth continues over the next few years, expect CMS to make it more difficult to obtain a high star rating.
Additionally, the percentage of four-star or higher Medicare Advantage Part C plans with prescription drug coverage grew to 81.1% in 2020 compared to 75.3% in 2019.