OAKLAND, Calif. October 28, 2025 — Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare HMO health plan in California is among the best in the nation for providing high-quality, seamless care, and outstanding service to its more than 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members.
This year, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare HMO health plan in California received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2026 Star Ratings. In addition, the plan in California is tied for the highest star rating in the state.
“Kaiser Permanente continues to lead the nation in quality measures, which reflects our ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes for our Medicare Advantage members, some of whom have complex health conditions,” said Mike Bowers, FACHE, interim president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Through a combination of high-quality care, affordability, and coordination across specialties we are providing our patients with needed support to lead healthy lives.”
The Kaiser Permanente Medicare HMO health plan in California has been highly rated — with mostly 4.5- and 5-star ratings — for the past 16 years (2011-2026).
“Our dedicated clinical teams provide our Medicare Advantage patients with seamless, personalized care that enables them to live full and active lives,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Advantage California Plan is also highly rated on many measures, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer screening. We are proud to be recognized as a national leader for delivering safe and effective care and service to our older adult populations.”
Ratings reflect high-quality care and service
Every year, CMS publishes Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) ratings. The ratings offer consumers a way to compare the quality of Medicare plans.
To develop the ratings, CMS considers many areas of care and service. For example, it looks at how well health plans keep members healthy and manage their chronic conditions. CMS also considers patient experiences, customer service, patient access, and pharmacy services.
Ongoing recognition for Kaiser Permanente’s health plans
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) also recently rated Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans as the highest in California — and among the highest in the nation — for overall patient experience and clinical quality.
Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare and commercial health plans in Northern California each received 5 out of 5 stars — the highest rating possible, according to the 2025 NCQA Health Plan Ratings. This is the 10th ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California has received this designation.
Nationally, only 11 health plans out of nearly 1,000 analyzed are rated 5 stars. NCQA also rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for treatment outcomes and prevention efforts.
Enrolling in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plan
Medicare’s annual enrollment period for all 2026 Medicare health plans begins on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2025.
Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the CMS star ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars.
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About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
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