Each year, Medicare rates how well Medicare health and drug plans perform. The most recent ratings awarded Senior Preferred HMO, offered by Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan, an overall 5-star rating for 2013—their second year in a row. This is the highest rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.* Medicare reviewed 578 health plans offering both Part C (medical) and Part D (pharmacy) benefits and Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan was one of only 11 health plans nationally to meet this high quality standard.

Medicare’s overall plan rating measures the quality of the health and Part D drug services a health plan provides. It monitors 34 health services items and 18 measures related to prescription drug (Part D) services. Measures include how often members get screenings, vaccines and check-ups to help them stay healthy; how often members with chronic conditions get tests and treatments to help manage their conditions; member satisfaction ratings; complaints and customer service.

Plan ratings give consumers a summary score—based on data from member surveys, clinician and plan reporting, and regular monitoring activities—to make it easy to compare plans. With a 5-star rating, customers can expect a better experience from Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan and their healthcare providers.

To learn more, go to Medicare’s web site at www.medicare.gov.

*Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. The 5-star rating reflects Senior Preferred Wisconsin and Iowa.