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More than 6 million people can take advantage of the 2018 "5-Star" Medicare plan Special Enrollment Period.

Star Ratings & plan quality · published Mar 30, 2018

More than 6 million people have access to 2018 Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans with a 5-Star quality rating - and this means these people have the option of using a once-a-year Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change to a 5-Star Medicare plan during the year.

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 Service Area the opportunity to leave their current Medicare plan and join a 5-star Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan - at anytime during the 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 6 million Medicare beneficiaries can use the 2018 5-star SEP?
In 2018, 5-star rated Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) are available across all counties in 11 states and 5-Star rated Medicare Advantage plans are available in 332 counties across 17 states.

Currently, there are approximately 5,003,000 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 Medicare Advantage plan is available (MA, MAPD, or SNPs).

Also, an additional 1,366,000 Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare plan that has a star rating of less than 5 stars and are living in states where a 5-star stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan ( PDP ) is available, but these people are not enrolled in the 5-star plan.

This means that a total of over 6,090,604 Medicare beneficiaries could take advantage of the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period and change their Medicare plan coverage at this time.

More about the 5-star Medicare plans that are available in 2018
The charts below lists the Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans that have a 5-Star CMS quality rating for the plan year 2018.

You can click on the plan name to see plan details including service area, link to formulary (drug list) and enrollment options.

The plans below all qualify for the 2018 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.   You can click here to read more about the 5-star SEP.

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 for the Medicare Advantage plan.  Click here to read more about 5-star SEP cautions.

5-Star Rated
Stand-Alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)
State Carrier Plan Name (Plan ID)
CT MA RI VT Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue MedicareRx Premier (PDP) (S2893-003)
CT MA RI VT Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue MedicareRx Value Plus (PDP) (S2893-001)
IA MN MT NE ND SD WY Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa MedicareBlue Rx Premier (PDP) (S5743-004)
IA MN MT NE ND SD WY Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa MedicareBlue Rx Standard (PDP) (S5743-001)

Note: The star rating for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Prescription Blue Option A (PDP) (S5584-001) and Prescription Blue Option B (PDP) (S5584-002) dropped to 4.5 stars for 2018, so they no longer qualify for the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period.

5-Star Rated
Medicare Advantage Plans (MA, MAPD)
State Carrier Plan Name (Plan ID) Nbr of Counties
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage LA, Orange Co. (HMO)
(H0524-003)		 2
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Solano (HMO)
(H0524-008)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Enhanced Sac., Sonoma (HMO)
(H0524-013)		 8
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Inland Empire (HMO)
(H0524-015)		 2
CA Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Medicare Medi-Cal Plan South (HMO SNP)
(H0524-029)		 7
CA Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Medicare Medi-Cal Plan North (HMO SNP)
(H0524-030)		 23
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Marin San Mateo (HMO)
(H0524-031)		 2
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Alam., SF, Napa (HMO)
(H0524-032)		 3
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Contra Costa (HMO)
(H0524-033)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Ventura (HMO)
(H0524-034)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Kern (HMO)
(H0524-035)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Kern (HMO)
(H0524-036)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage San Diego (HMO)
(H0524-037)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Fresno (HMO)
(H0524-038)		 5
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Santa Clara (HMO)
(H0524-039)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Stanis (HMO)
(H0524-040)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Stanis (HMO)
(H0524-041)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced SnJoaq (HMO)
(H0524-042)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic SnJoaq (HMO)
(H0524-043)		 1
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Fresno (HMO)
(H0524-046)		 5
CA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Sr Advantage Basic Sac., Sonoma (HMO)
(H0524-051)		 8
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Core (HMO)
(H0630-013)		 11
CO Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Medicare Medicaid (HMO SNP)
(H0630-014)		 11
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Silver (HMO)
(H0630-015)		 11
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Gold (HMO)
(H0630-016)		 11
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Core (HMO)
(H0630-017)		 4
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Silver (HMO)
(H0630-018)		 4
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Core (HMO)
(H0630-020)		 2
CO Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Silver (HMO)
(H0630-021)		 2
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus High w/Part D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-002)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Std w/Part D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-009)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Basic w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-017)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus High w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-021)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Std w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-022)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Basic w/D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-033)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage High DC (HMO)
(H2172-001)		 1
DC Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Standard DC (HMO)
(H2172-003)		 1
FL HealthSun Health Plans, Inc. HealthSun SunPlus Advantage Plan (HMO)
(H5431-001)		 1
FL HealthSun Health Plans, Inc. HealthSun MediMax (HMO)
(H5431-006)		 2
FL HealthSun Health Plans, Inc. HealthSun HealthAdvantage Plan (HMO)
(H5431-012)		 1
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Gold Rewards Plan (HMO)
(H5594-001)		 6
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Platinum Plan (HMO)
(H5594-002)		 6
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Emerald Partial (HMO SNP)
(H5594-016)		 25
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Emerald Full (HMO SNP)
(H5594-017)		 25
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Platinum Plan (HMO)
(H5594-019)		 3
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Gold Rewards Plan (HMO)
(H5594-022)		 4
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Gold Rewards Plan (HMO)
(H5594-026)		 3
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Diamond Rewards (HMO SNP)
(H5594-028)		 4
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Diamond Rewards COPD (HMO SNP)
(H5594-029)		 4
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Diamond Rewards (HMO SNP)
(H5594-030)		 11
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Diamond Rewards COPD (HMO SNP)
(H5594-031)		 8
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Gold Plus Plan (HMO)
(H5594-032)		 1
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Diamond Rewards (HMO SNP)
(H5594-034)		 7
FL Optimum HealthCare, Inc. Optimum Diamond Rewards COPD (HMO SNP)
(H5594-035)		 6
GA Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield BCBSGa MediBlue Access (PPO)
(H7728-005)		 41
HI Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced (HMO)
(H1230-001)		 1
HI Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic (HMO)
(H1230-003)		 1
HI Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Medicare Medicaid (HMO SNP)
(H1230-008)		 2
HI Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Maui (HMO)
(H1230-013)		 1
HI Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Hawaii Island (HMO)
(H1230-014)		 1
IA Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Elite (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-001)		 5
IA Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Value (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-003)		 5
IA Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Value (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-004)		 5
IA Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Elite (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-005)		 5
KY Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO)
(H7728-004)		 30
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime Rx Plus (HMO)
(H2256-001)		 2
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime Rx (HMO)
(H2256-015)		 2
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime No Rx (HMO)
(H2256-016)		 2
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Value Rx (HMO)
(H2256-018)		 2
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Value No Rx (HMO)
(H2256-019)		 2
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
(H2256-026)		 2
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Saver Rx (HMO)
(H2256-028)		 8
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Health Plan Senior Care Options (HMO SNP)
(H2256-029)		 10
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime Rx (HMO)
(H2256-033)		 1
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Value Rx (HMO)
(H2256-034)		 1
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
(H2256-036)		 1
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime No Rx (HMO)
(H2256-039)		 1
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Value No Rx (HMO)
(H2256-040)		 1
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic No Rx (HMO)
(H2256-041)		 1
MA Tufts Health Plan Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic No Rx (HMO)
(H2256-042)		 2
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus High w/Part D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-002)		 11
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Std w/Part D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-009)		 11
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Basic w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-017)		 11
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus High w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-021)		 11
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Std w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-022)		 11
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Basic w/D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-033)		 11
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage High MD (HMO)
(H2172-002)		 7
MD Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Standard MD (HMO)
(H2172-004)		 7
MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Platinum Blue Core Plan (Cost)
(H2461-005)		 87
MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Platinum Blue Choice Plan (Cost)
(H2461-006)		 87
MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Platinum Blue Complete Plan (Cost)
(H2461-007)		 87
MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Platinum Blue Core Plan with Rx (Cost)
(H2461-008)		 87
MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Platinum Blue Choice Plan with Rx (Cost)
(H2461-009)		 87
MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Platinum Blue Complete Plan with Rx (Cost)
(H2461-010)		 87
NH Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO)
(H7728-002)		 5
OR Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (HMO)
(H9003-001)		 9
OR Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic (HMO)
(H9003-006)		 9
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Extra + RX (HMO)
(H9047-001)		 8
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Choice + RX (HMO-POS)
(H9047-024)		 8
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Extra (HMO)
(H9047-033)		 8
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Choice (HMO-POS)
(H9047-035)		 8
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Prime + RX (HMO-POS)
(H9047-037)		 3
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Latitude + RX (HMO-POS)
(H9047-038)		 5
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Compass + RX (HMO-POS)
(H9047-039)		 5
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Dual Plus (HMO SNP)
(H9047-043)		 3
OR Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Enrich + RX (HMO)
(H9047-045)		 2
TX KelseyCare Advantage KelseyCare Advantage Essential (HMO)
(H0332-001)		 4
TX KelseyCare Advantage KelseyCare Advantage Rx (HMO)
(H0332-002)		 4
TX KelseyCare Advantage KelseyCare Advantage Essential+Choice (HMO-POS)
(H0332-003)		 4
TX KelseyCare Advantage KelseyCare Advantage Rx+Choice (HMO-POS)
(H0332-004)		 4
VA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus High w/Part D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-002)		 9
VA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Std w/Part D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-009)		 9
VA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Basic w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-017)		 9
VA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus High w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-021)		 9
VA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Std w/o D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-022)		 9
VA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus Basic w/D (AB) (Cost)
(H2150-033)		 9
WA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (HMO)
(H9003-001)		 4
WA Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic (HMO)
(H9003-006)		 4
WA Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Extra + RX (HMO)
(H9047-001)		 1
WA Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Choice + RX (HMO-POS)
(H9047-024)		 1
WA Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Extra (HMO)
(H9047-033)		 1
WA Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Choice (HMO-POS)
(H9047-035)		 1
WA Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Summit + RX (HMO-POS)
(H9047-047)		 2
WA Providence Health Assurance Providence Medicare Harbor + RX (HMO)
(H9047-049)		 2
WI Dean Advantage Dean Advantage Assurance (HMO)
(H9096-001)		 7
WI Dean Advantage Dean Advantage Balance (HMO)
(H9096-002)		 7
WI Dean Advantage Dean Advantage Confidence (HMO-POS)
(H9096-003)		 7
WI Dean Advantage Dean Advantage Essential (HMO)
(H9096-004)		 7
WI Dean Advantage Dean Advantage Gold Complete (HMO)
(H9096-005)		 7
WI Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Elite (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-001)		 8
WI Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Value (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-003)		 8
WI Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Value (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-004)		 8
WI Senior Preferred Gundersen Senior Preferred Elite (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-005)		 8
WI Senior Preferred UW Health Senior Preferred Elite (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-007)		 5
WI Senior Preferred UW Health Senior Preferred Value (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-008)		 5
WI Senior Preferred UW Health Senior Preferred Value (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-009)		 5
WI Senior Preferred UW Health Senior Preferred Elite (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-010)		 5
WI Senior Preferred ProHealth Senior Preferred Elite (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-011)		 1
WI Senior Preferred ProHealth Senior Preferred Value (w/Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-012)		 1
WI Senior Preferred ProHealth Senior Preferred Elite (no Rx) (HMO)
(H5262-013)		 1