GS 2027 MA Stars Analysis; Trading Places: HUM Reclaims Top-Tier 4+ Stars Status While ALHC Lags the Peer Cohort

After the close on 10/8, CMS released highly anticipated Medicare Advantage Stars score data for the 2027 plan year, which are based on calendar year 2025 plan performance data and drive company-level per member premium pricing capacity for calendar year 2028. The data CMS has released for the 2027 Stars cycle was broadly more challenging across the sector, with most MA plans seeing lower year-over-year percentages of members in 4+ Star contracts. HUM was the clear positive exception as its largest contracts rebounded from unusually adverse 2025 and 2026 measurement years and returned the company to its long-term historical trend of ~95% bonus-payment eligibility;