What is the requirement for new plans and Part D sponsors regarding the Star Rating?

The requirement for new plans and Part D sponsors regarding the Star Rating indicates that they do not need to provide Star Rating information until the next contract year. This means that although new plans may have established metrics for evaluating their performance, they won't have an official Star Rating available in their initial year of enrollment. Instead, they'll rely on the standard ratings system in subsequent years after they have had time to generate sufficient data based on member feedback and health outcomes.

While it is crucial for members to have access to this information to make informed decisions about their healthcare options, new plans and sponsors are granted this allowance to prepare adequately and begin demonstrating their quality of care before being formally rated. This approach allows them the necessary time to establish their operations and metrics and earn a Star Rating relevant to their performance metrics in the future.