Medicare gives Gundersen Lutheran Senior Preferred a highest five-star rating

Each year, the Medicare program rates how well Medicare health and drug plans perform.  For 2012, nine health plans across the country are receiving five star ratings--the highest rating given by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.  Gundersen Lutheran officials have learned that the Senior Preferred HMO offered by Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan is one of those nine health plans.

Medicare's overall plan rating measures the quality of the health and Part D drug services a health plan provides.  It monitors 36 health services-related items and 12 for drug services.  Items measured include things such as 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.

The overall plan rating gives consumers a single summary score—based on data from member surveys, clinician and plan reporting, and regular monitoring activities—that makes it easy to compare plans based on quality and performance.

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