STARS and HOS
STARS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Stars rating system to help patients choose Medicare coverage options. Star Ratings are released annually and reflect the experiences of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Plans are rated on a one-to-five scale, with one star representing poor performance and five stars representing excellent performance. The Star Ratings system can help people choose a health plan that will provide high quality services and provide health care option that are best for them.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a preventive visit covered by Medicare at no cost to patients. An AWV is an opportunity to connect with patients and focus on issues that may be overlooked during other visits (i.e., sick visits, follow up visits). It is also an opportunity to remind patients about open care gaps and ensure that all vaccinations, screenings and other preventative services are current. HPP has developed provider and patient guides to assist you with these visits. Please refer to the Resources section below.
Resources
- Provider Resource Guide: Improving Patient Experience - A Guidebook to CAHPS, HOS and Quality Resources (PDF)
- Provider Fact Sheet: Annual Wellness Visits (PDF)
- HP Connect, HPP's provider portal
- Provider Resource Guide: Medication Adherence for Medicare Members (PDF)
- Osteoporosis Management Measure Communication (PDF)
- Transitions to Care Tip Sheet (PDF)
- Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes (KED) (PDF)
- Medication Reconciliation Post-Discharge Tip Sheet (PDF)
How Providers can Help Improve STAR Ratings
Providers can continue to leverage HPP’s Medicare member incentive program, Wellness Rewards, to improve Part D Star measure ratings and Quality Care Plus (QCP) performance. Wellness Rewards incentivizes Health Partners Medicare members to complete specific health-related activities to earn money on a reloadable card. Please note that our Medicare rewards program is different from our Medicaid/CHIP rewards program.
Most of the Wellness Rewards medication adherence activities and preventive health screenings are tied to current Quality Care Plus (QCP) measures. Leveraging the Wellness Rewards program and encouraging your patients to complete these activities can help you improve your performance on these QCP measures. To ensure that your Health Partners Medicare patients are rewarded for their completed activities, please submit claims timely and accurately.
Visit HPPlans.com/rewards to review additional details and eligibility requirements. If you have any questions about the Wellness Rewards Program, please contact your Provider Relations Representative.
For additional information/education, please review our quality webinars.
Health Outcomes Survey (HOS)
Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the Health Outcomes Survey (HOS), which assesses the ability of an organization to maintain or improve the current physical and mental health status of its members. A random sample of HPP’s Medicare members receive the HOS between July and September. The results help evaluate how members view their current health status and if providers addressed their health concerns. Two years later, the same respondents receive a follow-up survey on maintaining or improving physical and mental health.