Group Health Gets Medicare 5-Star Rating
October 19, 2011


Group Health Cooperative's 2012 Medicare Advantage HMO plans have received a five-star rating — the highest from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

We are one of only nine combined Medicare C and D health plans in the nation — and the only one in our service area — to receive the prestigious five-star rating for both medical and prescription drug coverage.

"Our five-star rating reflects our efforts to make quality, convenient care a reality," said Group Health President and CEO Scott Armstrong. "We have reduced unnecessary hospital readmission by spending more time with our patients and making sure each patient is getting the right follow-up care. Innovations like these make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families."

Through the Medicare Star Quality Rating System, CMS assigns scores of one to five stars to Medicare plans in five categories based on 53 quality measures. The categories include: Staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and pharmacy services.

Group Health Physicians President and Chief Medical Officer Michael Soman, MD, said "Staff across the organization are continually seeking ways to reach out to our patients who need preventive care, answer coverage and billing questions, and resolve issues in ways that improve our members' health and make their lives a little easier."

The ratings provide Medicare beneficiaries with a tool to compare the quality of care and customer service that Medicare health and drug plans offer, helping consumers make better health care choices.