Humana tops 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings as insurers face $13 billion in bonus payouts and legal challenges

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the 2027 star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans, with Humana emerging as the top‑scoring insurer.

Plans that achieve at least four out of five stars qualify for bonus payments, which together total about $13 billion each year for the industry. Nearly 71% of Medicare Advantage enrollees are already in plans that meet this threshold.

Not all insurers are satisfied with their scores. Alignment Healthcare announced it will consider legal action after its rating was lowered, a move that reflects growing frustration among carriers.

The new ratings underscore both the financial incentives tied to quality measures and the lingering uncertainty about how future metrics will be applied and how they will impact revenue streams.