Q1Group Analysis Shows Improvement in the Overall Quality of 2014 Medicare Advantage Plans
Saint Augustine, FL (PRWEB) October 19, 2013 -- Analysis by Q1Group of the 2014 Medicare plan quality star-ratings data shows that Medicare Advantage plans improved in overall plan quality.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services calculate summary quality star-ratings for Medicare Advantage plans based on 36 different topics in five categories, with 1-star being “poor” and 5-stars being “excellent”.
Of the 2014 Medicare Advantage plans available across the country, 29% of plans have not yet received quality ratings due to either insufficient quality data or the plan is new. These unrated Medicare Advantage plans are not considered in the Q1Group analysis.
Although fewer 2014 Medicare Advantage plans earned a 5-star quality or “excellent” rating, as compared to 2013 plans, more 2014 Medicare Advantage plans will have an “above-average” rating. Across the nation, 37% of the 2014 Medicare Advantage plans earned an “above-average” rating of 4-stars or higher as compared to 29% of 2013 Medicare Advantage plans.
In addition, fewer 2014 Medicare Advantage plans have a “below-average” or lower than 3-star quality-rating. On a national level, only 4% of the 2014 Medicare Advantage plans earned a “below-average” rating as compared to 13% of 2013 Medicare Advantage plans.
As a state example, in Florida, 14 plans or 45% of 2014 Medicare Advantage plans earned an “above-average” rating, as compared to only six plans or 18% of the 2013 Medicare Advantage plans. No 2014 Florida Medicare Advantage plans were rated “below-average”, as compared to three or 9% of the 2013 Florida Medicare Advantage plans receiving ratings under 3-stars. 23% of the 2014 Florida Medicare Advantage plans did not have sufficient data or were too new to receive a quality rating.
On a county-level, Florida’s Broward County compares well with the national quality average with 40% of Medicare Advantage plans receiving an “above-average” quality rating and no 2014 Medicare Advantage plans earning a “below-average” quality rating.
The Q1Medicare.com 2014 PDP-Finder and MA-Finder search tools display the Medicare plan summary quality star-ratings for all 2014 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. Both the PDP-Finder and MA-Finder are available to all site visitors at no cost and designed for computer, smartphone, and tablet platforms.
Q1Group reminds seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries that they can enroll in a 2014 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period that will continue through December 7th.
About the Q1Medicare.com Website
Q1Medicare.com is one of the largest independent online resources for Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and Medicare Advantage plan information. Q1Medicare offers a large selection of Frequently Asked Questions, online tools, and a free Medicare Part D Newsletter all designed to help Medicare beneficiaries, healthcare professionals, advocates, advisers, caregivers, and insurance agents better understand both the Medicare Part D prescription drug and Medicare Advantage programs. Q1Medicare.com is operated by Q1Group LLC (Saint Augustine, Florida).
Dr. Susan Johnson, Q1Group LLC, http://bit.ly/16VzOv9, (904) 461-8994, [email protected]
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