2 min November 11, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. ET
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, and the results set quality bonus payments for 2028. They arrive during a period of unusual policy movement. CMS is removing measures and choosing not to implement its planned health equity reward. Courts are weighing challenges to how ratings are calculated. Payers are narrowing their Medicare Advantage footprints for 2027. Providers are ending some contracts.
We’ll examine the 2027 results, including: how the distribution of ratings shifted, which measures separated contracts at four stars or higher from the rest, how cut points absorbed performance gains, and how member mix relates to results. We’ll also look at the policy questions the results raise: the litigation over Star Ratings and what it could mean for payments, the debate over whether the program accurately measures quality, and where CMS may take the bonus program next. We’ll also touch on the market response, including plan exits, provider contract disputes, and payment trends.
Attendees will leave with a clear view of what drove the 2027 results, which policy decisions will shape the 2028 and 2029 ratings, and the questions to bring to their own quality and contracting strategies.
What You’ll Learn
- Describe how the 2027 Star Ratings distribution shifted and which measures and adjustments most separated contracts at four stars or higher from the rest.
- Explain how recent CMS decisions, including the measure set changes and the decision to keep the historical reward factor, affect future Star Ratings.
- Evaluate the arguments for and against the claim that Star Ratings accurately measure quality, including the case for population-scale measurement.
Speakers:
About Policy Pulse
Policy Pulse is Arcadia’s webinar series focused on timely healthcare policy developments and what they mean for organizations operating in value-based care.
Each session connects regulatory and policy changes to real-world operational and financial impact, helping healthcare leaders understand what to monitor and how to respond.
When you sign up, we’ll send you save-the-dates for additional Policy Pulse webinars that we have planned throughout the year. You’ll also receive alerts whenever we schedule a Policy Pulse Pop-Up.
