Medicare AdvantageAdministrativeMedium impact
Encourage Medicare Members to Respond to Health Outcomes Survey
HealthSpring·Quality
Effective date
Jul 15, 2026
We identified it
Aug 13, 2026
Summary
CMS is conducting its annual Health Outcomes Survey for Medicare members from mid-July through early November 2026. Providers should encourage Medicare members to complete the survey when contacted, and proactively discuss survey topics (physical health, mental health, physical activity, bladder control, fall prevention, and provider relationships) during patient encounters. Survey results directly impact the CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System, which affects plan performance metrics.
Action Required
By July 15, 2026: Clinical and administrative staff should be trained to encourage Medicare members who receive the Health Outcomes Survey to complete and return it. Providers should incorporate discussion of survey topics (maintaining/improving physical and mental health, monitoring physical activity, improving bladder control, preventing falls, provider relationships) into routine patient encounters throughout the year. Front desk and clinical staff should reference the Patient Experiences Checklist (available from HealthSpring) when discussing these topics with patients. Practice leadership should review the Stars Guidebook (accessible in Availity Essentials in the HealthSpring Medicare Advantage payer space) to understand how survey responses affect the Five-Star Quality Rating System and identify opportunities to improve patient experience metrics that influence ratings.