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Individuals who are eligible for Medicare may be able to choose a top-rated Medicare Advantage plan during 2024, even though the annual enrollment period for 2024 ended in December 2023.
Because they offer the highest level of excellence in terms of overall quality and performance in categories such as member experience, preventive services and chronic condition management, Medicare Advantage plans that earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are available for enrollment throughout the year.
During this special enrollment period, which runs now through November 30, 2024, Tennesseans currently enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan have the opportunity one time per year to switch to a five-star plan in their area.
Why Stars Matter
CMS gives consumers an unbiased comparison of all the Medicare Advantage plans available to them by rating each plan on a scale from one to five stars. Five-star plans are considered “excellent” and are part of only a small percentage given the top-tier ranking each year.
The annual rating evaluates the quality of care and customer service provided by the plan using a comprehensive assessment of 40 different measures – including things like preventive screenings and clinical interventions, medication adherence and patient safety, appeals, member health outcomes, and patient experiences. The scores from all the measures are averaged together to calculate the plan’s overall Star Rating, which is available when comparing plans on the Medicare Plan Finder.
“Both the quality of care and an individual’s personal experience with the services provided play an important role in their satisfaction with their Medicare Advantage plan,” says Matt Berger, Humana’s Medicare President for Tennessee. “At Humana, we focus on putting the health needs of our members at the center of everything we do, which is demonstrated by our industry-leading Star Ratings year after year. In 2024, we are proud to offer this exceptional care and service to Tennessee with our five-star rated Cariten Health Plan.”
Keeping Plan Members Healthy and Satisfied
Humana more than doubled the number of Medicare Advantage members in five-star plans from 2023 to 2024. Humana’s 2024 five-star plans cover 37 percent of five-star plan members across all health plans nationwide. Also, 99 percent of Tennesseeans in five-star plans are Humana members.
“Patients in five-star plans receive a high level of preventive services and care that can have a major impact on their health and quality of life,” says Rebecca Colon, DO, Regional Vice President of Health Services, Humana. “Our five-star plans also offer hearing, dental, and vision benefits, as well as prescription drug coverage that can be critical for preventing a whole range of physical and mental health risks.”
Barry W., a Humana Medicare Advantage member in Knoxville, has found that the pharmacy benefits included in his plan are especially helpful.
“Humana has helped me streamline my medications through the pharmacy and this has made the recording and delivery process easier,” Barry says. “They have also introduced me to ways I can better afford my medicines – some even being free, if I qualify.”
One aspect of Humana’s approach that sets it apart is the company’s close collaboration with value-based health care providers, including CenterWell Senior Primary Care centers in Tennessee, where a holistic care model strives to address their members’ unique and changing needs.
Humana has also earned recognition for its member satisfaction ratings both in Tennessee and nationwide. U.S. News & World Report ranked Humana as #1 in the nation as the 2024 Best Overall Medicare Advantage Plan Company for the second year in a row, as well as the 2024 Best Company for Member Experience and for its Low Premium Plan Availability.
For more information about how Medicare Star Ratings can help you choose a plan, visit Humana.com/Medicare/CMS-Star-Ratings or call toll-free 1-800-706-1368 (TTY:711). Licensed sales agents are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
About Humana
Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for teammates, customers, and company. Through the Humana insurance services, and the CenterWell health care services, Humana makes it easier for the millions of people they serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what they offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.
Additional Information
Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Other providers are available in the Humana network. NOTICE: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any reference to more, extra, or additional Medicare benefits is applicable to Medicare only and does not indicate increased Medicaid benefits.
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