Independent Health is one of just 9 plans in the entire nation rated 5 out of 5 Stars in NCQA’s Commercial Health Plan Ratings

BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 17, 2026) – For the fourth consecutive year, Independent Health has earned the highest possible overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) 2026 Commercial Health Plan Ratings. Independent Health’s HMO/POS (Commercial) plan was one of three plans in New York, and one of just nine Commercial plans that received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 Stars for 2026.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Its annual Health Plan Ratings help plans evaluate whether members are receiving high-quality, coordinated care and service.

For the 2026 ratings, NCQA reviewed 559 commercial health plans nationwide, evaluating their products based on their combined Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), and NCQA Accreditation scores. Each plan was rated on a 5-star scale for clinical quality, patient experience, and outcomes.

“Independent Health’s consecutive four-year run of achieving a 5-Star rating is the result of our unwavering focus on delivering the support, services and quality our members need to live healthier lives,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and CEO of Independent Health. “We’re able to achieve this and other top national accolades through the collaborative efforts with our physician and provider partners, who make sure our members get the appropriate preventive care and disease management services they need to stay healthy.”

In addition, Independent Health has Full Accreditation by NCQA for its Commercial line of business, which helps the organization examine data, understand member risk/cost/utilization, and develop population health programs that address the needs of our members

Other Honors and Recognition for 2026

The 2026 5-star Commercial plan rating from NCQA joins other recent accolades:

  • Among the Top Three Medicaid Managed Care plans in New York – Based on 2024 data, Independent Health scored among the top three of all Medicaid Managed Care plans in New York State’s Quality Incentive Program. This program evaluates Medicaid Managed Care plans based on quality of care, consumer satisfaction, and compliance.
  • Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plan – Independent Health’s Medicare Advantage plans received a 4.5 out of 5 Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026 (released in 2025). Using a Five-Star Quality Rating System, with 5 being the highest-rated plan, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates all Medicare Advantage health plans on an annual basis. The 2027 Star Ratings will be released in October 2026.

The complete NCQA Health Plan Ratings for 2026 are available on NCQA’s website