Recently, a healthsprocket list was posted showing four recommendations to improve the Medicare Advantage Star System. The list comes from a Health Affairs blog by Howard Weiss and Sara Pescatello. They talk about how the Medicare Advantage Star System has a disproportionate impact on MA plans that are focusing on low-income populations.
 
In order for there to be achievement of better results for beneficiaries, appropriate reward efforts by plans that focus on the low income population should be made. Evaluating and researching different strategies to appropriately use case mix adjustment will reflect the challenges of serving vulnerable populations over time. A four star rating can be achieved through reversing the agency's decision to no longer determine prior to the measurement year's raw scores. Furthermore, creating techniques and tools to address the unique needs of low-income populations goes hand in hand with the address observed disparity in plan performance.