Every fall, Medicare (CMS) publishes a 1-to-5 star rating for each Medicare Advantage plan, based on quality of care, customer service, and member satisfaction. This year the national average dropped noticeably, and many plans that used to have 5 stars lost that rating. If you have Medicare Advantage, this can affect when and how you can switch plans.
What changed in the 2026 Star Ratings
CMS tightened the scoring criteria for 2026: it gave more weight to health-outcome measures and less weight to patient-experience measures, and it removed about eleven measures that used to count toward the score, including each insurer’s call-center performance. With stricter rules, the national average fell from 3.92 to 3.65, and the number of contracts with 5 stars dropped from 38 last year to just 18 this year.
Why this doesn’t mean your plan got worse
A lower rating doesn’t always mean your plan changed for the worse — in many cases what changed is the yardstick used to measure every plan equally. What does matter is reading the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter that Medicare Advantage sends each fall, because that’s where the real changes in costs, provider network, and extra benefits for next year are spelled out, regardless of the stars.
What to check in your current plan
- Your current rating in the Medicare Plan Finder (medicare.gov).
- What specifically changed: provider network, drug formulary, or extra benefits like the grocery and OTC card.
- If your plan dropped from 5 to 4 stars, it loses access to the 5-star special enrollment period.
When you can switch plans
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31): you can switch once, from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or go back to Original Medicare plus a Part D plan.
- Annual Enrollment (October 15 – December 7): the main window to compare and change plans for the following year.
- 5-star special enrollment period: lets you switch at any time of year to a 5-star plan available in your area — though with fewer 5-star plans in 2026, this option is harder to find than before.
How to compare before deciding
Don’t compare on stars alone. Also review your current provider network, the drug formulary, the out-of-pocket maximum, and the extra benefits before you switch.
Note: this is general information about Medicare, not a personalized recommendation. Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurers approved by CMS, it is not Original Medicare, and benefits vary by plan and area. Confirm your plan’s exact details at Medicare.gov or with a licensed agent before deciding.
Talk to a licensed agent: they can compare your current plan against other options available in your ZIP code before your switching window closes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Medicare Advantage Star Rating?
It’s a 1-to-5 star rating that Medicare assigns each year to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, based on quality of care, customer service, and member experience.
Why did the national average drop in 2026?
CMS tightened the measurement criteria and removed several measures that used to count toward the score, which brought the national average down from 3.92 to 3.65.
Does losing a star mean I should switch plans?
Not necessarily. First check what changed in your provider network, drug formulary, and extra benefits before deciding whether switching makes sense for you.
When can I switch Medicare Advantage plans in 2026?
You can switch during Annual Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31).
Does the special enrollment period for 5-star plans still exist?
Yes, but with fewer 5-star plans available in 2026, it’s harder to find one in your area that qualifies for this special period.
Where do I check my plan’s current rating?
You can check it directly in the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov, using your ZIP code and your plan’s name.
