What does a higher CMS Star Rating indicate about plan performance?

• A. That the plan has more physicians.
• B. That the plan is less expensive.
• C. That the plan offers more marketing materials.
• D. What does a higher CMS Star Rating indicate about plan performance; higher stars indicate better performance, influencing choice.

Answer: (D)

Higher CMS Star Rating signals better performance of a Medicare plan. CMS calculates these stars from a mix of quality and service measures, including clinical outcomes, patient experience, access to care, and the quality of drug coverage. A higher rating means the plan is performing better across these areas, which is why beneficiaries often prefer higher-rated plans when choosing coverage. It’s not a direct indicator of price or how many doctors are in the network, though plans with higher stars may receive quality bonuses and may be more influential in enrollment decisions.