What does a 5-star special election period allow consumers to do?

A 5-star special election period provides consumers the opportunity to change their Medicare Advantage plan, specifically allowing them to enroll in a 5-star rated plan. This special election period is designed to incentivize beneficiaries to move to plans that have demonstrated high-quality performance as judged by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Beneficiaries can take advantage of this opportunity to switch plans once during the benefit year, making it critical for individuals to assess their current coverage and consider switching to a higher-rated plan if they desire improved healthcare services and outcomes.

This mechanism is put in place to enhance the overall quality of care, encouraging beneficiaries to choose plans that are more effective based on customer satisfaction and other performance metrics. Therefore, the focus on a one-time enrollment during the benefit year fosters efficiency in decision-making for consumers who want to improve their healthcare experience without having to wait for general enrollment periods.