Provider-Sponsored Plans Cite Localized, Comprehensive Approaches to Achieving 5 Stars

Despite declines in the average overall Star Rating for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans and the number of MA-PD contracts earning 4 stars or higher, the 2024 Star Ratings data released by CMS last month indicates that about two-thirds of performers held onto their 5-star rating from the previous year. For our annual series on the success stories of highly rated MA plans, leadership at several repeat 5-star performers touted comprehensive, integrated and localized approaches to continually delivering quality care.

For Quartz Health Plan, simplifying the member journey and working closely with its provider owners have been two areas of focus, according to Christina Ott, chief growth officer. Formed by the 2017 combination of Gundersen Health Plan, UnityPoint Health and Physicians Plus Insurance Corp., and then rebranded as Quartz, the insurer’s MA-PD contract serving enrollees in select counties of Minnesota has earned 5 stars for the 16th time, according to Ott. Quartz also has MA membership in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin; Advocate Aurora Health joined as a minority owner in 2021. While Quartz is focused on selling its products where its provider owners can best serve seniors and “has a narrower network than most,” it does have other providers in the network and “aligns with providers in ways that work for the individual,” she tells AIS Health, a division of MMIT.