Over 28 million people have access to a 2024 Medicare Advantage plan with a 5-Star quality rating - and this means these people will have the option of using the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change to a 5-Star Medicare plan once during 2024.

A little background: What is the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period?

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) allow you to change Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) that runs from October 15th through December 7th.  But, SEPs are usually granted only for exceptional reasons or circumstances (such as when you move to a new area of the country).  However, one of the most accessible Special Enrollment Periods (available in specific areas of the country) is the 5-star Special Enrollment Period. The 5-star SEP allows anyone in the 5-Star plan's service area (ZIP code area) the opportunity to leave their current Medicare plan and join a 5-star rated Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan - at any time during the year - but you can only use this SEP once during the plan year.  You can even leave your 5-star rated Medicare plan to join another 5-star plan that may be available in your area.

You can click here to read more about the 5-star Special Enrollment Period - with a few cautions about choosing your 5-star plan.  You can click here to read more about other Special Enrollment Periods.

How is it possible that 28 million Medicare beneficiaries can use the 2024 5-star SEP?

In 2024, 5-Star rated Medicare Advantage plans are available in 1,399 counties across 43 states.  Unfortunately, the only 5-star rated Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) are employer/union plans.

Currently*, there are approximately 28,099,942 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare plan that has a star rating of less than 5 stars - and these people are living in counties where a 5-Star rated Medicare Advantage plan is available (MA, MAPD, or SNPs).

(*Using September 2023 CMS Enrollment Data)


More about the 5-star Medicare plans that are available in 2024

The chart below lists the carriers whose Medicare Advantage plans have a 5-Star CMS quality rating for the plan year 2024. Since there are many 5-Star Medicare Advantage plans, we are not able to list each plan individually.

The chart below lists the states where 5-Star rated Medicare Advantage plans are available in 2024. Unfortunately, California, Hawaii, and Vermont will no longer have a 5-Star Medicare Advantage plan available, however Nebraska and Puerto Rico will now have at least 5-Star plans available for 2024.

Once on the state page, you can click on your county to see a list of plans available along with plan highlights and links to plan details, formulary, and star rating details.  Any plan marked with the qualifies for the 2024 5-Star Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled any MA, MAPD, or PDP plan (including people already enrolled in another Medicare plan with 5-star rating) can take advantage of the 5-star Special Enrollment Period. The 5-star rating SEP can only be used one time during the plan year. 

Remember:  If you are currently enrolled in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan (PDP) and wish to join a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD or SNP), you must also be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B - and meet the eligibility requirements if the plan is a Special Needs Plan (SNP).  Click here to read more about 5-star SEP cautions.

States, County Count, and Number of Medicare Beneficiaries Who Can Take Advantage of a 5-Star Medicare Advantage Plans (MA, MAPD)
State	Nbr of Counties	Nbr of People
AL	40	558,241
AR	6	73,988
AZ	4	853,028
CO	19	593,650
CT	8	491,247
DC	1	56,102
DE	3	137,079
FL	45	2,870,067
GA	35	750,325
IA	87	470,417
ID	17	162,235
IL	31	1,223,533
IN	43	746,369
KS	53	328,353
KY	29	262,051
LA	64	560,903
MA	2	181,562
MD	15	491,597
ME	7	173,722
MI	1	159,415
MN	12	471,099
MO	115	857,822
MS	13	172,940
NC	96	1,323,824
NE	46	224,651
NH	10	208,892
NJ	19	1,024,517
NV	2	290,779
NY	47	2,261,411
OH	68	1,586,783
OK	6	233,193
OR	15	526,773
PA	66	1,777,087
PR	78	365,590
RI	5	176,666
SC	15	537,850
TN	95	903,681
TX	22	1,445,455
UT	23	267,655
VA	43	643,896
WA	15	830,284
WI	31	584,785
WV	47	240,425