Press Release

HOUSTON (October 14, 2016) — On October 12, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that KelseyCare Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan offered to Houston-area Medicare beneficiaries, earned five out of five stars in an annual assessment of all Medicare Advantage plans. Achieving five stars is challenging and is the highest overall rating for quality and service. KelseyCare Advantage is the only 5-star rated Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan in the greater Houston area and one of 14 5-star rated health plans in the nation. Very few plans across the country achieve a 5-star rating.

“Earning the highest rating for quality and service from CMS for a second time demonstrates the commitment of each KelseyCare Advantage team member. We continuously strive to provide the highest level of customer service and member experience,” said Marnie Matheny, president of KelseyCare Advantage. “KelseyCare Advantage gets to work with the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization delivering high-quality health care and access to Kelsey-Seybold doctors who help us achieve the 5-star level through measured health outcomes rated by Medicare.”

Each year, Medicare uses information from member satisfaction surveys, clinical data, and healthcare providers to give overall performance ratings to Medicare health and prescription drug plans. These ratings help Medicare beneficiaries choose a plan based on quality and performance. A plan can earn from one to five stars. A 5-star rating is considered excellent. The 2017 overall plan rating is based on over 40 healthcare and service quality measures including detecting illness and keeping members healthy, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, and customer service.

"We are very excited to once again be designated as a Medicare Advantage 5-star health plan. KelseyCare Advantage and the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic work hard to provide a high-quality healthcare experience for our patients," said Donnie Aga, M.D. Medical Director for KelseyCare Advantage. "We do this through health care innovations, concierge-style customer service, and access to outstanding physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and cutting-edge technology."

KelseyCare Advantage has held a contract with Medicare since 2008 and currently serves 30,000 Texans in the counties of Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and portions of Galveston. The plan is affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, a group of doctors based here in Houston that have been serving Houston-area families for more than 65 years. KelseyCare Advantage plans provide all Medicare Part A and B coverage, and some of the plans include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, to Houston-area Medicare beneficiaries who want more coverage than traditional Medicare provides.

Medicare-eligible residents in these areas can enroll in a KelseyCare Advantage plan during the Medicare enrollment period between October 15, 2016, and December 7, 2016, with a start date of January 1, 2017. In addition to receiving high-quality care and service, 5-star excellence means that Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in a 5-star plan from December 8, 2016, through November 30, 2017, without having to wait until the next annual enrollment period.

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. To learn more about KelseyCare Advantage, or about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings, visit: kelseycareadvantage.com or medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).