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EAGAN, Minn. (Oct. 30, 2023) – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) and Blue Plus today announced that two of its most popular Medicare offerings, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans and Platinum Blue^SM Cost plans, have earned 4.5 out of a possible five stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Overall, 100 percent of Blue Cross Medicare membership in CMS-rated plans for 2024 will be in a 4-star plan or higher. In addition to the 4.5-star ratings for Medicare Advantage and Cost plans, the Blue Plus SecureBlueSM (HMO SNP) Minnesota Senior Health Options plan and MedicareBlueSM Rx Part D received 4-star ratings for 2024.

Every year, Medicare evaluates Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans based on a 5-star rating system across a series of quality performance measures, including member experience, customer service, appropriate clinical care, health plan administration and member health outcomes.

"Our record of consistently earning high overall ratings really speaks to our focus on meeting and exceeding the rising bar for member experiences and customer service," said Victoria Losinski, vice president of the Blue Cross Star Ratings, Risk Adjustment, and Quality Center of Excellence. "We are very pleased that all of our members will be enrolled in a 4-star rated plan or higher for 2024, especially considering that CMS introduced new, challenging guidance this year."

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans are top-rated by members for customer service, receiving 5 out of 5-starsⁱ. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plans saw increases on key member experience measures, including making it easy for members to get needed prescription medications and coordination between providers and the health plan. According to Blue Cross data, more than two-thirds (78%) of Medicare member calls are successfully resolved in a single phone call. Backed by a service team of nearly 500 Minnesota-based Member Experience Advocates, Blue Cross retains 95% of its Medicare enrollees from one plan year to the next. According to a Blue Cross survey earlier this yearⁱⁱ, nearly all (98%) of Medicare-enrolled Minnesota seniors consider customer service to be an important factor within their plan.

The mission of the Star Ratings, Risk Adjustment, and Quality Center of Excellence is to drive health plan quality to new heights each year through its focus on provider engagement, member experience with Blue Cross and their providers, health improvement programs, administrative excellence and data analytics. 2024 Star Ratings are based on services and care members received in 2022 and measures are graded on a curve relative to other plan’s performance that year.

Blue Cross’ status as the No. 1 Medicare plan chosen by Minnesotans is based on December 2022 enrollment data from CMS. More information about Blue Cross’ Medicare plans can be found at bluecrossmn.com/medicare.