Wakely actuaries analyzed the recently released 2026 Medicare Advantage Star Rating Technical Notes, published by CMS in the Second Plan Preview on September 9, 2025. This white paper highlights the most significant changes in Star Rating cut points and explains how ongoing quality improvement, guardrails, and the phased implementation of the Tukey outlier deletion methodology have combined to push cut points to the highest levels in program history.
Key findings include:
- A majority of measure-level cut points increased, indicating overall performance improvements between the 2023 and 2024 measurement years.
- The 4-star threshold continues to rise, with 63% of 4-star cut points harder to achieve in 2026 compared to 70% in 2025.
- Guardrails still limit movement for 2 and 3-star cut points, though their effect is tapering as the Tukey migration stabilizes.
- Pharmacy, administrative, and HEDIS measures show some of the largest upward shifts, while CAHPS cut points largely held steady.
