One-Star Improvement Can Increase Medicare Advantage Revenue by 17%

A one-star improvement in CMS star ratings can increase revenue from rapidly growing provider-based Medicare Advantage plans, according to new research from Navigant.

Approximately one-third of current Medicare beneficiaries participate in MA plans versus traditional Medicare, which has grown from only 13% of beneficiaries in 2004. But competition for those patients is acute. With ongoing expansion by traditional payers such as Anthem, Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealth Group, provider plans must look to distinguish themselves not only to attract patients, but also to gain other benefits available by regulation based on CMS star rating, the researchers said.

MA...