On November 26, 2024, CMS released the Contract Year (CY) 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D), Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) proposed. We have analysed the proposed rule for any and all changes related to the Star ratings.

Summary of Proposed Star Ratings Updates

New or Updated Measures:

Analytics Support Analyst – CMS Stars

Baltimore Health Analytics is seeking an Analytics Support Analyst with a blend of analytical expertise and strong communication skills. In this role, you'll not only support our healthcare data analytics and reporting efforts but also play a vital part in ensuring our clients fully understand and utilize the power of our tools.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform healthcare data analysis and create detailed, insightful reports using our proprietary analytics tools.
• Provide high-quality technical support to client

Reward Factor Trends and 2025 Star ratings projections

Medicare Advantage Star Ratings PP2 Cutpoints are out, and the final 2025 Star Ratings are scheduled to release in October, ahead of the AEP. Many in the industry are wondering what we can tell now from the available data about how the 2025 Stars average scores and average industry performance will look.

BHA analyzed historical RF percentile thresholds and compared them with the Stars average scores (average scores and weighted average scores).

2025 Plan Preview 2 Cutpoints

CMS recently released the annual memo “Second Plan Preview of 2025 Part C and D Star Ratings Data” on 9/5 announcing that the second Plan Preview will start 9/6 and run through 9/13.

BHA has analyzed and compared the newly available 2025 Cutpoints with the previous year. 

Introduction

CMS recently released the CY 2025 Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies Advance Notice. BHA would like to share a quick sumary from stars lens.

Net Payment Impact