The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its 2025 quality ratings, and again this year recognized Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its Medicare Advantage plans. This is the 12th consecutive year the health plan has ranked above average or higher for its Medicare Advantage plans for member satisfaction and quality performance in clinical care. Recognition from CMS comes in the form of Medicare Star ratings.
CMS awarded the Excellus BCBS Medicare Advantage PPO plan 4 out of 5 stars, the Medicare HMO plan 4 out of 5 stars, and the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
"The star rating scale provides health care consumers with a valuable tool to compare and contrast Medicare Advantage Plans," says Ankit Garg, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Excellus BCBS. "When CMS recognizes the performance of our Medicare Advantage Plans, it's recognizing our commitment to offering quality plans that are accessible and affordable, so Everybody Benefits!"
Medicare Stars reflect member satisfaction with the health plan and its providers. They also recognize its success in caring for its members by meeting specific health care benchmarks, including how a Medicare member's chronic conditions are being managed; if Medicare members are receiving their preventive screenings and vaccines; and how the health plan is helping members to take their medications as prescribed.
For example, Excellus BCBS clinical pharmacists reach out to members to conduct comprehensive reviews of their prescriptions to assure they are taking the right medications in the right dose, at the right time, and in the right way. The pharmacists also help identify opportunities to reduce out-of-pocket spending on prescription medications, such as finding opportunities to save by switching from a brand-name drug to an equally effective and lower cost generic alternative.
We are not only proud of our Medicare Stars, says Dr. Garg, "but also grateful to the local health care providers with whom we partner to provide high quality and affordable health care to Medicare-eligible individuals in the communities we call home."
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Contact:
Michelle Kraft, michelle.kraft@excellus.com
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With about 4,500 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.
