ISELIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amerigroup today announced that heading into next year, Amerigroup’s 2018 Medicare Advantage HMO plans will be rated four stars – with five stars being the best rating – by the Medicare Star Ratings program issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Amerigroup offers these plans in 16 counties throughout New Jersey. Last week, the CMS released their latest Star Ratings, which gives health plans scores for the quality and performance of their services.

“Amerigroup’s continued commitment to giving our members access to high-quality, affordable health care is one of the main reasons our plans achieved high Star Ratings this year,” said Tomas Orozco, president of the company’s Medicare east region. “We are grateful for our network of providers who collaborate with us to ensure that we’re delivering the quality and performance members expect from their health plan. We will continue to partner with our members to ensure we are providing them with the benefits they want, in order to meet their health care and lifestyle needs.”

Amerivantage Balance (HMO), Amerivantage ESRD (HMO-POS SNP), and Amerivantage Dual Coordination (HMO SNP) received four stars from CMS and are available in the following counties:

• Amerivantage Balance (HMO): Bergen, Hudson, and Union counties.
• Amerivantage ESRD (HMO-POS SNP): Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties.
• Amerivantage Dual Coordination (HMO SNP): Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties.

“We are pleased that CMS has recognized our efforts to improve the health outcomes and experiences of our current plan members and those we hope to have the privilege of serving in the future,” Orozco added.

The CMS’ Medicare Star Rating system rates the quality and performance of Medicare Advantage plans to help consumers and their families compare plans. Medicare Advantage plans are rated on their ability to:

• Help members stay healthy
• Assist members in managing chronic conditions
• Ensure positive member experiences with their health plan
• Achieve member satisfaction
• Provide effective customer service

Additionally, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are rated on how well they provide medication coverage along a number of factors: customer service, member complaints, member experience with drug plan, and drug safety.

Star Ratings are calculated each year using a scale of one to five stars, and may change from year to year. The annual Medicare Star Ratings are posted online at www.medicare.gov.

Consumers can enroll in Amerigroup’s 2018 Medicare Advantage plans during Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP), which begins October 15, 2017 and continues through December 7, 2017. Plans purchased during AEP are effective January 1, 2018. For details about Amerigroup’s Medicare plans in your area, call (866) 805-4589 or visit Amerigroup’s Medicare online store at www.myamerigroup.com/medicare.

About Amerigroup

Amerigroup is part of the Anthem Government Business Division (GBD). Through the GBD, Anthem serves 7.4 million seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families and other state and federally sponsored beneficiaries, and National Government Services enrollees (including the Federal Employee Program) in 26 states, making us one of the nation’s leading providers of health care solutions for public programs. Amerigroup accepts all eligible people regardless of age, sex, race or disability.