On October 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled the 2025 Part C & D Star Ratings Technical Notes. This comprehensive report outlines the latest trends and performance data for key Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) measures.
As a quality improvement partner, PQS has analyzed the key highlights from the 2025 Technical Notes that directly impact pharmacy-based quality measures. These include:
- Medication-Related Part D Measures: Focused updates on specific measures related to medication management.
- Performance Trend Graphs: Visual representations of performance trends for both Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD) and PDPs.
- Measure Threshold Charts: Detailed information on performance thresholds for each measure.
2025 Star Ratings Tech Notes Summary
A few general points summarize that:
- Up to 40 Measures with Ratings: MAPD contracts are rated on up to 40 unique quality and performance measures.
- MA-only contracts (without prescription drug coverage, or Part D) are rated on up to 30 measures.
- Standalone Part D (PDP) contracts are rated on up to 12 measures.
- Controlling Blood Pressure for 2025: The recently revised measure (Part C) maintained as a triple-weighted status for 2025.
- Plan All-Cause Readmissions for 2025: The recently revised measure (Part C) moved into the 2025 Star Ratings as a new measure (weight of three)
- Decrease in Average Overall MAPD Star Ratings: Decreased to 3.92 stars (down 0.15 Stars), which is the lowest overall Star Rating in the last four years.
- The number of MAPD contracts with 5-Star Overall Ratings decreased from 38 contact IDs in 2024 to only seven contracts for 2025.
Access the full list of general points on page 2 of the 2025 Medicare Part C and D Star Ratings Technical Notes Summary.
The 2025 Star Ratings for Medicare Part C & D plans are displayed on the Medicare Plan Finder found at www.medicare.gov. As of October 15, 2024, Medicare beneficiaries can view these 2024 Star Ratings when selecting their MAPD or PDP for the 2025 benefit year as part of the Open Enrollment period which will continue through December 7, 2024.
