As Medicare Advantage and Part D plans prepare for the 2026 contract year, Wakely, an HMA Company, has published two white papers that offer critical insights into the latest developments in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Star Ratings program. These analyses follow CMS’s release of the final 2026 Star Ratings, which play a pivotal role in plan performance, member retention, and bonus payments.
Why It Matters
Star Ratings reflect plan quality, member experience, and regulatory compliance. With CMS continuing to refine its methodology and cut points, understanding the nuances of these changes is essential for plans looking to maintain or improve their ratings. Wakely’s white papers provide a clear, data-driven lens into what’s new, what’s stable, and what it means for the industry.
No Major Shifts in 2026 Ratings
In the paper, Steady as They Glow: 2026 Star Ratings Show No Major Shifts, Wakely experts report that the 2026 Star Ratings show no major systemic shifts in overall scores. Wakely’s analysis finds that:
- Most plans maintained their previous ratings, with only modest movement across the board.
- CMS’s methodology updates had minimal impact on overall scores, suggesting a period of relative stability.
- The distribution of scores across contracts remains consistent with prior years, offering plans a chance to focus on incremental improvements rather than major overhauls.
A companion white paper, Pointing the Way: Summary of 2026 Star Rating Cut Points, explains the cut point adjustments that define how performance translates into Star Ratings. The analysis finds that several measures saw tightening of cut points, especially in areas like medication adherence and member experience. In addition, the paper indicates that early signals of quality improvement are emerging in certain domains, suggesting that plans are responding to CMS’s evolving expectations.
The paper offers guidance on how plans can strategically target measures most likely to influence future ratings.
Read the full papers.