Contact (UPMC Health Plan): Gina Pferdehirt Director, Public Relations & Community Relations UPMC Health Plan 412-454-4953 pferdehirtgm@upmc.edu

UPMC for Life Earns Increased Star Rating from CMS

100% of UPMC for Life’s members are enrolled in plans rated 4.0 overall stars or higher

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 28, 2015) –UPMC for Life’s “Overall Star Rating” for its Medicare Advantage HMO plan for 2016 has increased from “4” to “4.5” out of a possible “5” according to ratings released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), placing it among the top fifth of plans nationally. Only 77 of 369 Medicare Advantage plans are rated “4.5” stars or more. CMS is the Federal agency that oversees Medicare.

The increased score means that 100 percent of UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage members are now enrolled in plans with an overall star rating of “4” or higher, and that 80 percent of all UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans with an overall star rating of “4.5.”

“We are proud to announce this increased rating because it reflects UPMC for Life’s commitment to our members,” said Diane Holder, President and CEO of UPMC Health Plan. “Our continued commitment to excellence in quality of care, in improving the health of the community, and in serving our members has always been first and foremost.” 

To determine its ratings, CMS looks at five categories:

• Staying healthy – Includes how often members get various screening tests, vaccines, and other checkups that help them stay healthy.
• Managing chronic conditions – Includes how often members with different conditions get certain tests and treatments that help them manage their conditions.
• Ratings of health plan responsiveness and care – Includes ratings of member satisfaction with the plan.
• Health plan member complaints and appeals – Includes how well the plan handles calls from members.
• Member experience with plan – Includes member satisfaction information.

The UPMC for Life PPO has a star rating of “4.”  The UPMC for You Special Needs Plan for members who have Medicare and Medicaid, has a star rating of “4.”

CMS rates all health and prescription drug plans each year to assist the public in knowing how well a plan is doing based on quality and performance. The Overall Star Rating combines scores for the types of services each Medicare Advantage plan offers. Ratings range from a low of “1” star, which is poor, to the highest possible “5” stars, which is excellent.

Learn more about our plans at www.medicare.gov., or contact us seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST at 877-381-3765 (toll-free) or 800-361-2629 (TTY), from Oct. 15, 2015, to Dec. 7, 2015. Current members please call 877-539-3080 (toll-free) or 800-361-2629 (TTY).

Y0069_16_1021 Accepted
Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.

UPMC for Life is the Medicare Advantage plan of UPMC Health Plan.
UPMC for Life has a contract with Medicare to provide HMO and PPO plans. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. UPMC for Life is a product of and operated by UPMC Health Plan Inc., UPMC Health Network Inc., and UPMC Health Benefits Inc.

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About UPMC Health Plan

UPMC Health Plan, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., is among the nation’s fastest-growing health plans. It is owned by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider. As part of an integrated health care delivery system, UPMC Health Plan is committed to providing its members better health, more financial security, and the peace of mind they deserve.  UPMC Health Plan partners with UPMC and community network providers to produce a combination of knowledge and expertise that provides the highest quality care at the most affordable price. The UPMC Insurance Services Division – which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC WorkPartners, LifeSolutions, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, Askesis, and Community Care Behavioral Health — offers a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, Special Needs, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance, and workers' compensation products and services to over 2.7 million members. Our local provider network includes UPMC as well as community providers, totaling more than 125 hospitals and more than 11,500 physicians throughout Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com.