Carriers & the market
Humana's 2027 Medicare Star Ratings Surge While Alignment Healthcare Falls
The share of Humana's Medicare Advantage members in top-rated plans jumped from about one in five to nearly all, while Alignment Healthcare's biggest contract dropped below the quality bonus threshold just as open enrollment begins.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamOctober 10, 2026
CMS released official 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings on October 8, and the results delivered sharp reversals for two insurers entering this year's open enrollment season.
Humana posted a significant recovery. The share of its Medicare Advantage members enrolled in plans rated four stars or higher climbed to roughly 95 percent for 2027, up from about 20 percent in the current plan year. The improvement was driven by Humana's largest contract regaining a four-star rating after sitting at 3.5 stars for 2026. Plans rated at four stars or above qualify for federal quality bonus payments, which give insurers more funding to offer richer benefits and lower enrollee premiums.
Humana went from 20% to 95% of members in 4-star plans for 2027. Alignment's biggest contract just lost its bonus-eligible rating.
Alignment Healthcare moved in the opposite direction. The company's largest Medicare Advantage contract, which covers most of its members and operates primarily in California, fell from four stars to 3.5 stars for 2027. That one-rung drop places the contract below the bonus threshold, reducing the federal dollars available to the plan and potentially affecting benefits the plan can offer enrollees.
CMS scores Medicare Advantage and Part D plans each fall on criteria including clinical outcomes, member experience, and plan administration, on a scale from one to five. The 2027 ratings will determine bonus payments for plan year 2028.
For beneficiaries comparing options ahead of open enrollment, which begins October 15, star ratings are one of the tools available on Medicare Plan Finder alongside premiums, cost-sharing, and covered benefits.
In plain words
Medicare grades health insurance plans each year with a score from 1 to 5 stars. CMS put out the 2027 grades on October 8. Humana got much better scores. Almost all of its Medicare Advantage members are now in plans rated 4 or 5 stars. Last year, only about 1 in 5 were. A company called Alignment Healthcare got worse scores. Its biggest plan dropped from 4 stars to 3.5 stars. That drop means Alignment will get less bonus money from Medicare next year, which can affect what benefits it can offer. People can check plan star ratings on Medicare.gov before signing up. Open enrollment starts October 15.
Understand the basics first
Source: Healthcare Dive
Read at the source →