Two state insurers recognized for excellence in service

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have recognized two Pennsylvania insurers for excellence in service. 

UPMC Health Plan’s UPMC for Life and Independence Blue Cross’ (Independence) Keystone 65 HMO Medicare Advantage plans both received five-star ratings from CMS. 

 UPMC also earned accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for both its HMO and PPO plans.  

CMS also recognized Independence’s Personal Choice 65 PPO plans and UPMC for Life‘s Special Needs Plan (SNP) in Western and Central Pennsylvania with four-and-a-half star ratings. 

 “We are proud to have earned another five-star recognition from CMS, and believe it reflects our commitment to providing our members outstanding service, support, and access to high-quality health care,” said Independence Blue Cross President and CEO Gregory E. Deavens. “This accomplishment validates the advantage of our team’s collaborative approach to engaging members and delivering valuable and reliable benefits.” 

When a plan earns five stars it receives more funding to enhance member benefits and can be sold all year, not just during open enrollment, Independence Blue Cross said.  

Diane Holder, president, and CEO, UPMC Health Plan, said, “By recognizing our Medicare plans, CMS confirms what our members already know: UPMC Health Plan is committed to providing access to the best care, the best coverage, and the best customer service each and every time.” 

The Star Ratings were created by CMS to help individuals and caregivers compare the performance and quality of Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug plans, CMS said.  

They are published annually and provide a scorecard on each plan’s quality and performance measures (e.g., member compliance with preventive care and screening recommendations, chronic condition management, customer service, access to care, and more).  

NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation evaluates how well an organization has established a standardized framework for turning health equity into a culture of continuous improvement.  

UPMC said the organization builds an internal culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion; collects data to understand population demographics; offers language services and provider networks that consider individuals’ cultural and linguistic needs; and identifies opportunities to reduce health inequities and improve care.  

“These accomplishments reflect our commitment to continuous improvement, mitigating disparities in health care, and providing our vulnerable members and patients the very best in clinical care and service,” said Carrie Whitcher, chief quality officer and vice president of quality performance, UPMC Insurance Services. “Our network of high-quality physicians and dedicated employees maintain an unwavering promise to keep people healthy.”