Clinical Excellence

February 29, 2012

Contact: Diana Yee, 510-271-6671

Seniors Still Have Extra Time to Enroll in a 5-star Medicare Advantage Health Plan

Medicare Special Enrollment Period gives seniors a rare opportunity to find a high-quality plan

For the first time ever, the U.S. government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will allow Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan one time before the next annual enrollment period. This Special Enrollment Period, which began in December, lasts through Nov. 30, 2012. Seniors must meet certain criteria and live where a 5-star plan is offered.

In the video below, Jed Weissberg, MD, chief medical officer, Kaiser Permanente Medicare, explains what the 5-star rating system is about and how seniors can benefit from the Special Enrollment Period.

Last fall, CMS announced its 2012 Medicare Star Quality Ratings for the nation’s Medicare plans. Plans are rated on a scale of one to five stars, with five being the highest, based on more than 50 care and service quality measures. Of the 440 Medicare plans rated nationally, only nine plans received a 5-star rating reflecting excellent performance. Four of those plans are Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans operating in Kaiser Permanente regions in Northern and Southern California, the Northwest, Colorado and Hawaii.

Seniors can also learn more about the Special Enrollment Period and the Medicare Star Quality Ratings from Kaiser Permanente by visiting kp.org/medicarestars or calling 1-855-817-5831. CMS also offers details on its website, medicare.gov, and at the toll-free number 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services each year and may change from one year to the next. Kaiser Permanente Northwest region includes Oregon and Washington.