September 18, 2023

Independent Health is one of only two health plans in the nation to receive a rating of 5 out of 5 in NCQA’s Commercial Health Plan Ratings 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 18, 2023) – Independent Health is one of only two health plans in the entire nation to achieve the highest possible rating for clinical quality and member satisfaction, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Commercial Health Plan Ratings 2023. NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality.

As part of this year’s NCQA Commercial Health Plan Ratings, 585 health plans from across the country were reviewed and rated based on their combined Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) and NCQA Accreditation scores. Each health plan was rated on a 5-star scale for customer satisfaction, prevention and treatment. 

Overall, Independent Health’s HMO/POS (Commercial) plan and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States’ HMO (Commercial) plan were the only plans to earn 5 stars for 2023. This marks the first time a Western New York health plan has achieved this prestigious recognition from NCQA. Previously, Independent Health was a 4.5-star rated Commercial plan from 2015-2022. 

“After coming so close over the past eight years, Independent Health is tremendously proud to make it to the top of the NCQA Commercial Health Plan Ratings. In terms of quality coverage and member satisfaction, it’s like winning the Super Bowl,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., President and CEO, Independent Health. “Our 5-star status is the latest testament to our unwavering commitment to ensure our members receive the high-quality care they need and the exceptional service they deserve. This year’s ratings reflect the fact that not only are our members pleased with the care and service they are receiving, but they are also benefitting from our many efforts to educate them about the importance of preventive care and improve their overall experience as a patient. It’s just another example of what sets Independent Health apart from other health plans both here in Western New York and nationally.”

In addition to its overall NCQA 5-star rating, Independent Health was one of only two plans nationally to earn 5 stars in the category of member satisfaction and one of three plans to receive 5 stars for preventive care. The complete NCQA 2023 Health Plan Ratings are available at www.ncqa.org.

This year’s 5-star rating from NCQA culminates an impressive year of national recognition that has been bestowed upon Independent Health for all its lines of business:

• For 2023, Independent Health has again been recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a 5-Star Rated Medicare Advantage Plan. In fact, Independent Health is the only health plan in the nation to be awarded 5 Stars for all of its 2023 Medicare Advantage plans.   
• Independent Health recently achieved Tier 1 Status in the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH’s) Medicaid Managed Care Incentive Program. This program focuses on the performance in quality and member experiences of health plans. Independent Health’s overall score was the highest among all participating health plans throughout New York state.

“Our deep roots in Western New York are only matched by our deep commitment to this community. Providing our members with the highest quality coverage and customer service is part of our DNA – it’s the RedShirt Treatment^®,” said Dr. Cropp. “Combined with the strong relationships we have built with our physician and provider partners, we’ve been able to make it easier for members to receive the coordinated care and services they need to better manage their health and well-being.”

About NCQA
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. In recognition for its leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, NCQA has won the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. NCQA’s website (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at www.ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.