Highmark again earns high quality rating for Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plans

Sixth consecutive year earning a 4 or better Star rating

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Oct. 22, 2019) — Highmark's Medicare Advantage plans in Pennsylvania have achieved a 4 or higher quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This is the sixth consecutive year that Highmark has earned a 4 or better Star rating.

Medicare Advantage Plans are evaluated on a scale of one to five. In arriving at the overall annual quality rating, CMS takes into account how well health plans score in five different categories including (1) keeping members healthy and up-to-date on preventive care measures, (2) managing chronic health conditions, (3) member responsiveness (4) handling problems and complaints, and (5) customer service.

""The CMS Star evaluations reaffirms Highmark's commitment to our Medicare Advantage members to ensure they receive high quality care and an excellent member experience," said Alexis Miller, Senior Vice President of Senior Markets at Highmark.

Highmark's HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans were scored by CMS. The HMO Plan (Security Blue) earned 4 Stars, while the PPO Plan earned 4.5 Stars, both out of a possible 5 stars.

Unlike traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans limit the amount of out-of-pocket contribution a beneficiary is required to make. In addition to covering the same hospital and medical services as Medicare Parts A & B, Highmark Medicare Advantage plans include benefits for preventive care, hearing aids, vision and dental care, and popular fitness memberships.

For its 2020 Medicare Advantage plans, Highmark has lowered premiums and out-of-pocket costs and increased benefits for most of its products - including expanded dental and vision coverage – and has added over-the-counter allowances for items such as cold medications and vitamins.

Highmark also recently maintained its number two ranking in the nation for Medicare Advantage Overall Customer Satisfaction and received the highest score in the Provider Choice factor among health plans profiled by J.D. Power. J.D. Power — a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics — annually ranks Medicare Advantage plans to help consumers make more informed choices.

The annual election period for seniors to choose Medicare Advantage coverage for next year runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Consumers can learn more about the CMS Star ratings at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website.

Detailed descriptions of all Highmark Medicare Advantage plans, including network and pricing, are available at Shop.Highmark.com/Medicare.