CMS uses star ratings to determine the quality of Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. The agency may terminate a plan sponsor's contract to administer Medicare benefits if it achieves a rating of less than three stars for three consecutive contract years.
Health plans have the opportunity to appeal CMS' decision.
Four MA contracts being terminated by CMS for low star ratings:
CMS is terminating Chicago-based Zing Health's Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan at the end of 2024. Zing was founded by Health2047, a venture fund from the American Medical Association. The agency is also imposing intermediate sanctions to suspend all enrollment and marketing activities for the plan, effective Jan. 12. The Part D plan has been in operation since January 2020. It received a 2.5-star rating in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
CMS is terminating Centene's WellCare Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans in Arizona and North Carolina at the end of 2024. The agency is also imposing "intermediate sanctions" to suspend all enrollment and marketing activities for the plans, effective Jan. 12.
CMS is terminating Park Ridge, Ill.-based Clear Spring's Medicare prescription drug plan at the end of 2024. The agency also imposed intermediate sanctions to suspend all enrollment and marketing activities for the plan in October 2023. Clear Spring is owned by financial services company Group 1001. It received a 2-star rating in 2022 and a 1.5 star rating in 2023 and 202