CVS says quality coverage is on the rise—81% of members now in highly rated Medicare Advantage plans
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Millions of Americans on Medicare will soon see which health and drug coverage plans earned top marks for 2026—a ranking that can directly affect the quality of their care and the cost to taxpayers.
The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released its 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D star ratings, a closely watched scorecard that determines not only how well insurers are serving members but also how much government bonus money they receive.
These ratings, updated annually, shape competition among the nation’s biggest healthcare companies and influence the plans seniors choose during open enrollment.
According to the CMS announcement on Thursday, 64% of Medicare Advantage members with prescription drug coverage are enrolled in plans rated four or five stars, indicating above-average quality.
The star ratings—ranging from one to five—measure a range of performance indicators such as customer satisfaction, preventive screenings, access to care, and chronic disease management.
Plans that perform well earn larger government bonuses, potentially worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, which can be reinvested into member benefits. These new ratings will impact insurers’ revenues in 2027, based on how their plans perform in 2026.
Among major players, CVS Health’s Aetna unit leads the pack, with more than 81% of its members enrolled in top-rated programs and 63% in 4.5-star plans for next year.
UnitedHealth Group followed closely behind, reporting 78% of members in four-star or higher plans and 40% in 4.5-star offerings.
Meanwhile, Elevance Health showed major improvement, boosting its share of members in top-rated plans from 40% to 55%, making it one of this year’s biggest gainers.
Also read: CVS expands program to help Medicare members avoid costly hospital readmissions
Humana, on the other hand, reported a more modest 20%, or about 1.2 million members, in four-star or higher plans—a drop analysts said aligned with earlier company forecasts.
“Overall, the results were not very surprising given the various company pre-announcements over recent weeks,” said Michael Wiederhorn, an analyst with Oppenheimer, noting that many insurers had already indicated how they expected to perform.
The CMS data not only reflects how efficiently insurers operate but also how effectively they engage members in managing their health.
Also read: Why reviewing your Medicare plan every year could save you money and stress
Centene’s Wellcare division, led by CEO Michael Carson, highlighted “continued progress” in its Medicare business, emphasizing the company’s focus on improving outcomes and affordability for members.
“We're focused on building on this momentum,” Carson said, “ensuring our members receive high-quality, affordable care.”
Read next:
How do you feel about your current Medicare plan’s performance—does it meet your expectations for care and value? Share your experiences and thoughts below, and let us know if these new ratings might change how you choose your coverage for 2026.
The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released its 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D star ratings, a closely watched scorecard that determines not only how well insurers are serving members but also how much government bonus money they receive.
These ratings, updated annually, shape competition among the nation’s biggest healthcare companies and influence the plans seniors choose during open enrollment.
According to the CMS announcement on Thursday, 64% of Medicare Advantage members with prescription drug coverage are enrolled in plans rated four or five stars, indicating above-average quality.
The star ratings—ranging from one to five—measure a range of performance indicators such as customer satisfaction, preventive screenings, access to care, and chronic disease management.
Plans that perform well earn larger government bonuses, potentially worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, which can be reinvested into member benefits. These new ratings will impact insurers’ revenues in 2027, based on how their plans perform in 2026.
CVS says quality coverage is on the rise—81% of members now in highly rated Medicare Advantage plans. Image source: Marques Thomas / Unsplash
Among major players, CVS Health’s Aetna unit leads the pack, with more than 81% of its members enrolled in top-rated programs and 63% in 4.5-star plans for next year.
UnitedHealth Group followed closely behind, reporting 78% of members in four-star or higher plans and 40% in 4.5-star offerings.
Meanwhile, Elevance Health showed major improvement, boosting its share of members in top-rated plans from 40% to 55%, making it one of this year’s biggest gainers.
Also read: CVS expands program to help Medicare members avoid costly hospital readmissions
Humana, on the other hand, reported a more modest 20%, or about 1.2 million members, in four-star or higher plans—a drop analysts said aligned with earlier company forecasts.
“Overall, the results were not very surprising given the various company pre-announcements over recent weeks,” said Michael Wiederhorn, an analyst with Oppenheimer, noting that many insurers had already indicated how they expected to perform.
The CMS data not only reflects how efficiently insurers operate but also how effectively they engage members in managing their health.
Also read: Why reviewing your Medicare plan every year could save you money and stress
Centene’s Wellcare division, led by CEO Michael Carson, highlighted “continued progress” in its Medicare business, emphasizing the company’s focus on improving outcomes and affordability for members.
“We're focused on building on this momentum,” Carson said, “ensuring our members receive high-quality, affordable care.”
Read next:
- Lower drug prices are finally coming to Medicare. Here’s what to expect in 2026
- Changes ahead for Medicare Advantage in 2026
