Which statement is true regarding the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period?

The statement indicating that the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period is limited to once per calendar year is accurate. This special enrollment opportunity is designed primarily for Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible to change their Medicare health care plan if a plan receives a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The intent behind this limitation is to manage the frequency with which beneficiaries can switch plans while still allowing them the option to choose a high-quality plan once per year.

In contrast, the other statements suggest broader or less structured access than is actually provided. The ability to use the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period multiple times within a calendar year or the notion that it allows independent changes regardless of other enrollment periods would not reflect the structured approach CMS takes toward plan changes among Medicare beneficiaries. This keeps the system orderly and helps ensure beneficiaries have time to assess their choices each year rather than making frequent changes that might complicate care continuity.