Medicare Advantage
CMS Releases Official 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings on Medicare Plan Finder
Scores are now searchable on medicare.gov one week before the October 15 open enrollment start. Fewer plans earned four stars or higher compared with 2026.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamOctober 9, 2026
CMS published the official 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings on October 8, 2026, making them available on the Medicare Plan Finder tool one week before the annual open enrollment period begins.
About 37 percent of Medicare Advantage prescription drug contracts, representing 188 plans, earned four stars or higher for 2027, down from roughly 40 percent in 2026. Weighted by current enrollment, about 71 percent of MA-PD enrollees are in contracts that will carry four or more stars next year. Fifteen contracts earned the maximum five-star rating and are marked with a distinct high-performing icon on Plan Finder.
2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings are live on Plan Finder. Open enrollment starts October 15.
A methodology change takes effect with the 2027 ratings: quality measures related to preventive care and mental health now carry three times the weight they had in the prior year, giving those categories greater influence over a plan's overall score.
Star ratings serve two purposes. For beneficiaries shopping during the October 15 through December 7 open enrollment window, they offer a standardized quality benchmark alongside premiums and network details on medicare.gov. For insurers, the 2027 ratings will determine which plans qualify for quality bonus payments in 2028, and plans that fall below four stars cannot use those bonuses to enhance their bids.
People in plans with lower scores, or in plans ending at year-end, can compare alternatives at medicare.gov starting October 15.
In plain words
Medicare just posted quality scores for 2027 health and drug plans. These scores are called star ratings. About 37 out of every 100 Medicare Advantage drug plans earned four stars or higher. That is a little fewer than last year. Fifteen plans got a perfect five stars. Starting October 15, you can look up your plan's score at medicare.gov and compare other plans. Open enrollment runs through December 7. That is the window to switch plans for 2027.
Understand the basics first
Source: CMS
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