Medicare planning · Reviewed October 15, 2026

Using CMS Star Ratings to Compare Your 2027 Medicare Options

Quick answer: CMS’s 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D star ratings are available for the enrollment period that starts October 15, 2026. Use the rating as a quality signal, then compare each plan’s doctors, prescriptions, premiums, cost sharing and coverage rules for your location and needs.

The 1-to-5-star system summarizes how Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans performed on measures selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). A five-star score does not mean every service is free or every doctor is in network. A lower-rated plan may still fit a particular person better if its network, formulary and total costs are more suitable.

What the 2027 ratings can tell you

CMS’s 2027 ratings include measures across clinical quality, member experience, access and prescription drug services. CMS says the 2027 measurement set adds measures for concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use and anticholinergic medication use among older adults; a respecified colorectal cancer screening measure is also included. The ratings support comparison across contracts, but they do not replace a review of the plan’s current Evidence of Coverage and provider directory.

Compare the details that affect your household

1. Write down your doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and prescriptions, including dosage.
2. Use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare plans available in your ZIP code.
3. Check whether each provider is in network and each medicine is covered on the plan’s formulary.
4. Compare premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, drug costs and the annual in-network out-of-pocket maximum.
5. Review referrals, prior authorization, travel coverage and supplemental benefits you expect to use.
6. Save the plan documents and verify important details with the plan before enrolling.

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. A plan’s county availability and benefits can differ even when the insurer’s name is familiar. If you need help, contact Medicare, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), or a licensed counselor who can explain plan documents without pressuring you to enroll.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and disclaimer

Reviewed against the CMS 2027 Star Ratings fact sheet and Medicare Plan Finder on October 15, 2026. Plan ratings, benefits and availability can change. This article is educational and is not Medicare, insurance, medical, tax or financial advice.

For broader retirement budgeting, see our retirement calculator.