UPMC for Life has earned a 4.5 out of 5-star overall star for both its HMO and PPO plans from Medicare for 2026

What are Medicare star ratings?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates all Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans each year to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families compare plans based on quality and performance. The Medicare star ratings are based on how well Medicare Advantage plans deliver medical coverage, prescription drug services, customer service, and how current members rate their satisfaction with the plan. You can use these scores to compare our quality and performance to other Medicare plans.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) also receive star ratings from CMS. They may be rated on additional criteria compared to Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans.

How do Medicare star ratings work?

Every year, CMS evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. CMS uses up to 40 quality and performance measures to rate plans. Ratings range from a low 1 star, which is poor, to the highest possible 5 stars, which is excellent. A Medicare plan’s star rating is given by CMS, the federal program that governs all Medicare plans. A star rating cannot be paid for—it must be earned.

The number of stars shows how well a plan performs.

• Excellent
•  Above Average 
•  Average
•  Below Average
•  Poor

The areas CMS uses to determine star ratings include:

• Feedback from members about the plan’s service and care.
• The number of members who left or stayed with the plan.
• The number of complaints Medicare got about the plan.
• Data from doctors and hospitals that work with the plan.

Why are the Medicare star ratings important?

More stars mean a better plan—members get better care, better quality, and better customer service. Medicare beneficiaries can use this score to compare quality and performance of Medicare plans. This important tool can help beneficiaries choose the best Medicare plan to fit their needs.

Now that you know more about star ratings, what’s next?

• Shop our Medicare plans. You can use the star ratings to help you select a UPMC for Life plan for 2026. 
• Do you still have questions? Connect with a Medicare Advisor in person or online today!
• Learn more about star ratings from one of our experts! Listen to our Medicare for the Record podcast episode all about star ratings.