October 17, 2019

Independent Health recognized as one of the best insurance companies for Medicare Advantage coverage by U.S. News & World Report

Buffalo, NY – Independent Health has been named to U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of the best health insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage coverage in 2020. Independent Health is only one of two health plans in New York state to be included on the list, with the other being Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan (CDPHP) in Albany.

U.S. News & World Report created the “Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage” list by analyzing each plan’s Medicare Star Rating for 2020. The Star Ratings were designed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help Medicare beneficiaries assess the quality, value and performance of every Medicare Advantage plan throughout the nation.

Independent Health was recently recognized as a 4.5 Star Rated Medicare Plan* by CMS for 2020. This marks the 10th consecutive year that Independent Health’s Medicare HMO plan has received a 4.5 Star Rating and the fifth straight year that its Medicare PPO plan has achieved this rating.

“Independent Health is proud to be the only health plan in Western New York to earn 4.5 Stars for both its HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage Plans for 2020,” said Cathy Aquino, director of government sales, Independent Health. “Our Medicare Star Ratings are a testament to our long-standing commitment of providing outstanding customer service and working with health care providers to ensure our members receive the care they need and deserve. When it comes to choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, Western New Yorkers can be assured they will receive high-quality coverage and value with Independent Health.”

How the CMS Medicare Star Ratings work

Using a 5-Star Quality Rating System, with 5 being the highest-rated plan, the Medicare Star Ratings program measures Medicare beneficiaries' experience with their health plans and the health care system. The key components that plans are measured on each year include:

• Screenings, tests and vaccines
• Managing chronic (long-term) conditions
• Customer service
• Patient safety and accurate drug pricing
• Member experience
• Member complaints, access and improvement

For more information about U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage” list

Independent Health is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract offering HMO, HMO-SNP, HMO-POS and PPO plans. Enrollment in Independent Health depends on contract renewal. 

*Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.