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Season 5 Episode 3 – The Final Rule is here, and no one is safe

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CMS’s final rule didn’t bring surprises, but it did raise the stakes. 

While most plans may not see immediate Star rating changes, the underlying math tells a different story: performance is shifting, and no one is in a safe zone. 

In this episode, Press Ganey’s Jessica Assefa and Mick Twomey break down what the rule really means, and why plans must move beyond measures to understand which members are driving performance. 

Key Themes & Takeaways

  • The rule didn’t change much—but its impact is real  
  • Most plans won’t move stars, but scores are declining  
  • No plan is in the safe zone  
  • Performance is shifting from measures to populations 
  • Behavioral health and high-risk segments will drive outcomes