October 7, 2022

Independent Health is the only health plan in the nation to receive this prestigious designation for all of its Medicare HMO, Medicare PPO, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has again recognized Independent Health as a 5-Star Rated Medicare Advantage Plan for 2023*. This marks the second year in a row the Williamsville-based company has earned the highest score a plan can receive from CMS. In fact, Independent Health is the only health plan in the nation to be awarded 5 stars for all of its 2023 Medicare HMO, Medicare PPO and Medicare Prescription Drug plans**.  

The Medicare Star Ratings are designed to help people assess the quality, value and performance of every Medicare Advantage plan throughout the nation. As a 5-Star Rated plan, Independent Health is able to enroll Medicare beneficiaries in its Medicare Advantage plans throughout the entire 2023 calendar year – not just during the annual open enrollment period.

“This recognition from CMS is reflective of our unrelenting drive and commitment to provide our members with high-quality service, coverage and value,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., President & CEO, Independent Health. “As the only true local health plan, Independent Health is deeply rooted in this community, and our RedShirts are dedicated to delivering outstanding and caring service because of the strong community connection to our customers, who are also our neighbors.”

In addition, Independent Health’s subsidiary, Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions (PBD), has once again received a 5-Star Rating for its Medicare Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). The plan previously earned 5-star status for 2022. PBD partners with employers and union groups to offer its EGWP PDP to Medicare-eligible retirees and covered Medicare-eligible dependents beyond the standard benefits typically offered by other Medicare prescription drug plans.

How Star Ratings work

By using a 5-Star Quality Rating System, with 5 Stars being the highest rating, CMS measures Medicare beneficiaries' experience with their health plans and the health care system on an annual basis. Each plan is given an overall summary rating based on how it performs across five main categories:

• Staying healthy: How often members got various screenings, vaccines and checkups.
• Managing chronic conditions: How often members got certain tests and treatments for long-term conditions.
• Health plan responsiveness: Overall member satisfaction with the plan.
• Complaints and appeals: How often members filed complaints about the health plan.
• Telephone customer service: How well the plan handles member calls.

The annual Medicare open enrollment period begins on October 15, and the Star Ratings can be a helpful and unbiased way for Medicare beneficiaries to objectively compare their medical and prescription options for 2023.

“We encourage individuals to visit with a RedShirt in person at one of our Medicare Information Centers to learn more about Independent Health’s Medicare Advantage plans for 2023 and choose the plan that is right for them,” said Cathy Aquino, Vice President Sales, Consumer & Small Business Markets. “People can also connect with us by phone or video chat.” 

To view the locations and hours of operation of Independent Health’s Medicare Information Centers and to schedule an appointment, visit independenthealth.com. 

 

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

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

** 2023 Medicare Star Ratings data as of 10/10/2022 at www.cms.gov

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