CVS Health’s (NYSE:CVS) Aetna unit and Clover Health (NASDAQ:CLOV) announced their Medicare Star Ratings for 2026 after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released data from its quality review, which allows health insurers with top-rated Medicare plans to receive bonus payments.
Following the CMS announcement, Wilmington, Delaware-based Clover (NASDAQ:CLOV) said that the agency has rated its PPO Medicare Advantage plans with 3.5 Stars and its HMO Medicare Advantage plan with 4.0 Stars.
The CMS annually evaluates Medicare plans for quality and issues ratings on a scale of one to five Stars, with bonus payments awarded to health insurers operating plans rated four stars and above, making it a key determinant of their financial performance. The 2026-Star ratings impact the payment year 2027.
The update comes as the next Medicare Open Enrollment period is set to get underway from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to give Americans, mainly those aged 65 and older, the option to compare 2026 MA plans.
After the CMS released its 2025-Star Ratings last year, Clover (NASDAQ:CLOV) said that the agency has increased the star ratings of its PPO MA plans and HMO MA plans to 4 stars and 3.5 stars, respectively.
“From a health policy perspective, Clover also notes that it does not believe the overall Star rating reflects the excellent health outcomes that it delivers to its members,” the company added in a press release on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Aetna, the health insurer operated by CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), said that more than 81% of its MA members are in Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans rated 4 stars or above for 2026. The company added that over 63% of Aetna MA enrollees are in a 4.5-star plan for 2026.
Citing an Oppenheimer research note, Reuters reported that 64% of Americans are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans for prescription drugs rated four or five stars by the CMS.
Additionally, citing data from the regulator and companies, the news outlet noted that 78%, 55%, and 20% of members served by UnitedHealth (UNH), Elevance (ELV), and Humana (HUM), respectively are in top-rated Medicare plans
2026-Star Ratings data for UnitedHealth (UNH) and Humana (HUM) are in line with the companies’ prior announcements.