Every October, Medicare publishes Star Ratings that score Medicare Advantage and Part D plans from 1 to 5 stars. The 2027 ratings were released on October 8, 2026, and they appear on the Medicare Plan Finder for this year's Open Enrollment. Ratings are a helpful quality signal, but they should be one part of your decision, not the whole thing.
Here is what the ratings measure, what the 2027 national numbers show, and how to use them wisely.
How Medicare's Five-Star System Works
The Medicare Star Rating Scale
| Rating | Medicare’s description |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ 5 stars | Excellent |
| ★★★★ 4 stars | Above average |
| ★★★ 3 stars | Average |
| ★★ 2 stars | Below average |
| ★ 1 star | Poor |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column
Ratings are given in half-star steps. Each rating applies to a contract, which may include several plans. Source: Medicare.gov.
CMS rates each plan contract on many quality and performance measures. According to CMS, Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage are rated on up to 43 measures, and stand-alone drug plans on up to 13.
What the Ratings Measure
Measures fall into several broad areas:
- Staying healthy: Screenings, tests, and vaccines.
- Managing chronic conditions: Such as diabetes care.
- Member experience: Survey results about getting care and customer service.
- Complaints and appeals: How often members complain or leave, and how quickly the plan handles appeals.
- Drug safety and pricing: Medication adherence and accuracy of drug pricing.
For 2027, CMS added new measures, including one on the concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines and one on the use of multiple anticholinergic medications in older adults.
What the 2027 National Numbers Show
CMS reported two different national figures. They measure different things and should not be combined.
Weighted by enrollment: about 71% of people in Medicare Advantage drug plans are currently in contracts that will have 4 or more stars in 2027.
About 37% of MA-PD contracts (188 contracts) offered in 2027 earned 4 or more stars.
The first figure counts people; the second counts contracts. Larger, higher-rated contracts enroll more members, which is why the percentages differ. These are national figures, not Kentucky-specific.
Source: CMS Fact Sheet, 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings (Oct. 8, 2026).
CMS also reported that 15 MA-PD contracts earned 5 stars for 2027, and the enrollment-weighted average rating was 3.99, compared with 4.01 for 2026.
Why Ratings Rise and Fall Each Year
CMS notes that year-to-year changes are normal. Ratings reflect performance during a measurement period, the scoring thresholds are recalculated each year, and measures are added, retired, or reweighted. A plan that dropped half a star may still serve its members well, and a plan that rose may have changed in other ways too.
A Rating Is Not a Substitute for Checking Coverage
A 5-star plan is not helpful if your doctor is not in its network or your medication is not on its formulary. Before choosing, still check:
- Your doctors and hospitals.
- Your prescriptions and pharmacy.
- Premiums, copays, and the maximum out-of-pocket limit.
See our article on 2027 PPO and provider network changes for how to verify providers.
How to Find a Plan's Current Rating
- Go to the Medicare Plan Finder and enter your ZIP code.
- Each plan shows its overall Star Rating. Select the plan to see ratings for individual measures.
- You can also ask the plan or a licensed agent for the plan's current rating, but the Plan Finder is the official source.
The Five-Star Special Enrollment Period
If a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan, Part D plan, or Medicare Cost plan is available where you live, you may be able to switch into it once using a five-star Special Enrollment Period. This SEP generally runs from December 8 through November 30 of the following year, and you can use it only once during that period. You must live in the plan's service area, and the plan must actually have a 5-star rating. Confirm availability with Medicare.gov before relying on it.
Look at the Specific Plan, Not Just the Company
Star Ratings are assigned by contract, and one insurer can hold several contracts with different ratings. A company's reputation or news about its ratings elsewhere does not tell you the rating of the specific plan offered in Laurel County. Always look up the plan by name and ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these percentages for Kentucky?
No. The 71% and 37% figures are national CMS figures.
Should I only consider 4-star plans or higher?
Ratings are useful, but cost, networks, and drug coverage matter just as much. A 3.5-star plan may be the better fit for your needs.
When were the 2027 ratings released?
CMS published them on the Medicare Plan Finder on October 8, 2026.
Can I switch to a 5-star plan at any time?
If one is available in your area and you meet the requirements, the five-star SEP allows one switch from December 8 through November 30.
Do Star Ratings apply to Medigap policies?
No. Star Ratings apply to Medicare Advantage, Part D, and certain other Medicare health plans, not to Medigap.
How Summit Benefits Group Can Help
We can look up the current ratings for the plans offered in your county and weigh them alongside your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Request a Medicare plan review, or read our Kentucky AEP guide for the full Open Enrollment timeline.
Sources
- CMS Fact Sheet: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings (Oct. 8, 2026)
- CMS: Part C and D Performance Data
- Medicare.gov
Summit Benefits Group is a licensed independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, CMS, Medicaid, or the federal government, and this article is general education, not a recommendation of any specific plan. We do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).