KelseyCare Advantage Awarded Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Highest Rating of 5 Stars for Quality and Service

KelseyCare Advantage Awarded Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Highest Rating of 5 Stars for Quality and Service

<0> Kelsey-Seybold ClinicMedia Contact:Rachelle Khalaf, 713.442.4919 </0>

With the release of 2014 star ratings, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on October 11, 2013 that KelseyCare Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan offered to Houston-area Medicare beneficiaries earned 5 stars, the highest overall rating for quality and service for 2014 plans. KelseyCare Advantage plans are the only 5-star rated Medicare Advantage health plans in the Greater Houston area.

“Earning the highest rating for quality and service from CMS really demonstrates the commitment of KelseyCare Advantage to attaining positive health outcomes for our members through the accountable care model that Kelsey-Seybold physicians subscribe to,” said Marnie Matheny, president of KelseyCare Advantage. “Our members get the benefit of receiving care from Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization and a health plan that is constantly focused on improving quality and service.”

Each year, Medicare uses information from member satisfaction surveys, clinical data, and health care providers to give overall performance ratings to Medicare health and prescription drug plans. These ratings help Medicare beneficiaries choose a plan based on quality and performance. A plan can earn from one to five stars. A 5-star rating is considered excellent. The 2014 overall plan rating is based on 48 healthcare and service quality measures including: detecting illness and keeping members healthy, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction and customer service.

“With healthcare quality and cost being such a major topic in recent years, Medicare beneficiaries have a lot of questions about their care and their insurance,” said Donnie Aga, M.D. and Medical Director for KelseyCare Advantage. “Members enrolled in a 5-star plan can be assured of high quality medical and prescription care, while experiencing great customer service.”

KelseyCare Advantage has held a contract with Medicare since 2008 and currently serves more than 24,000 Texans in the counties of Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and portions of Galveston. The plan is affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, a group of doctors based right here in Houston that have been serving Houston-area families for more than 60 years. Our Medicare Advantage plans provide all Medicare Part A and B coverage, and some include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, to Houston-area Medicare beneficiaries who want more coverage than traditional Medicare, alone, provides.

Medicare-eligible residents in these areas can enroll in a KelseyCare Advantage plan during the Medicare enrollment period between October 15, 2013 and December 07, 2013 with a start date of January 1, 2014. In addition to receiving high-quality care and service, 5-star excellence means that Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in a 5-star plan from December 8, 2013, to November 30, 2014, without having to wait until the next annual enrollment period.

To learn more about KelseyCare Advantage, or about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings, visit: or medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).