Analyst says UnitedHealthcare looks most exposed in draft 2027 star-ratings cutpoints

CMS released draft 2027 star-rating cutpoints to plans in early September 2026. Leerink Partners analyst Whit Mayo said UnitedHealthcare appears the most challenged among large Medicare Advantage insurers, with raw scores falling on 9 of its 10 largest contracts if performance did not improve. CFO Wayne DeVeydt said the company improved on 10 of 12 HEDIS measures but saw CAHPS scores drop after benefit cuts.

• Leerink's Whit Mayo: UnitedHealthcare appears most challenged among large MA insurers
• Raw scores could fall on 9 of its 10 largest contracts without improvement
• Its largest contract could drop from 4.5 stars to 4 stars
• DeVeydt: improved on 10 of 12 HEDIS measures; CAHPS fell after benefit cuts