Highly rated Medicare Advantage plans (with four or more stars) come with an average monthly premium of $85 versus the average of $58 for all plans, according to a study by HealthPocket. Lower out-of-pocket caps are consistent across all-star ratings, with about 30% of plans offering annual limits of $3,400 or below.
The Medicare plan quality star rating system is a key factor in helping enrollees differentiate plans. It reflects scores for treatment, preventive care, and customer satisfaction. For 2014, highly rated four and above star MA plans are available to residents of over half of U.S. counties. Steve Zaleznick of HealthPocket said, “The good news for Medicare Advantage customers is that the overall quality of these plans is rising, and their limits on out-of-pocket expenses provide good insurance protection. But not all regions in the U.S. have access to four plus star plans, and some highly rated plans have higher premiums than lesser-rated plans. Therefore, consumers would be wise to do thorough research into how the quality and costs of their available options fit their personal situation.” For more information, visitwww.HealthPocket.com.
