--- title: "Improving the Star Rating: Why it is Important for Independent Pharmacies" description: "Pharmacies looking to improve their CMS ratings should invest in automation systems that ensure better medication adherence. Call RxSafe: 877-797-2332 today." image: https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cms-star-rating.jpg --- - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RxSafe) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/RxSafe) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/2896335/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/RxSafe) - [RSS](https://rxsafe.com/feed) [![black-order_cart_2a@1.5x](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/black-order_cart_2a@1.5x.png "black-order_cart_2a@1.5x")](https://reorder.rxsafe.com) [(877)-797-2332](tel:1-877-797-2332) [![eyecon-RxSafe-combo-logo-blk-200x56](https://info.rxsafe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/eyecon-RxSafe-combo-logo-blk-200x56.png?width=200&height=56&name=eyecon-RxSafe-combo-logo-blk-200x56.png)](https://rxsafe.com/) - [SOLUTIONS](https://rxsafe.com/solutions-2/) - Pouch Packaging - [RapidPakRx](https://rxsafe.com/solutions/rapidpakrx/) - [Vial Filling-Secure Med Storage](https://rxsafe.com/solutions/vial-filling/) - [RxSafe 1800 w/RWS](https://rxsafe.com/solutions/rxsafe-1800-w-rws-copy/) - [Blister Card Filling](https://rxsafe.com/solutions/blister-card-filling/) - [RapidCardRx](https://rxsafe.com/solutions/rapidcardrx/) - [RapidCardSD](https://rxsafe.com/solutions/rapidcardsd/) - Pill Counting - [Eyecon](https://www.eyeconvpc.com/) - IMPACT - [Success Stories](https://rxsafe.com/case-studies/) - [Before & After](https://rxsafe.com/services/installation/) - [FAQS](https://rxsafe.com/faqs/) - [Blog](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/) - [Videos](https://rxsafe.com/resources/videos/) - [ABOUT](https://rxsafe.com/about/) - [Events](https://rxsafe.com/events/) - [Careers](https://rxsafe.com/about/careers/) - [Testimonials](https://rxsafe.com/about/testimonials/) - [CONTACT US](https://rxsafe.com/contact/) - [Training and Support](https://rxsafe.com/services/training-and-support/) # Improving the Star Rating: Why it is Important for Independent Pharmacies [News](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/tag/news), [independent pharmacies](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/tag/independent-pharmacies), [RxSafe 1800](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/tag/rxsafe-1800), [CMS star-rating system](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/tag/cms-star-rating-system), [RxASP20](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/tag/rxasp20) As the healthcare landscape evolves, reimbursements from [Medicaid and Medicare](https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/staticpages/rating/planrating-help.aspx) are moving away from fee-for-service to pay-for-performance, leaving independent pharmacies to define what performance means. In order to help them, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, started its five-star rating system to measure the quality of health plans so that customers could make informed decisions about which to choose. The system and the changing reimbursement landscape make it very important for independent pharmacies to look for ways to increase their star ratings so that their customers will enjoy improved outcomes and the pharmacy can attract new customers and keep existing ones. ## Benefits of Increasing Star Ratings ![CMS star rating](https://info.rxsafe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cms-star-rating.jpg?width=300&name=cms-star-rating.jpg) CMS rates health plans rather than pharmacies directly, but the health plans themselves evaluate the medication management services of pharmacies and assign their own ratings to them. Health plans are driven to improve their own CMS quality ratings because highly-rated plans are eligible for increased bonuses, can charge higher premiums and can market their plans year-round. Health plans rate pharmacies according to their adherence to the CMS rating system so that they can modify their preferred networks and recommend pharmacies to their customers. This means that more highly rated pharmacies can enjoy more patients and increased revenues through these referrals. ## Areas in which Pharmacies are Affected There are several areas in which pharmacies are affected by the CMS star-rating system. Health plans look at the systems that the pharmacies use to help increase patient adherence in the management of chronic diseases. The [RxASP system](https://info.rxsafe.com/faqs/rxasp-faqs/) is an option for adherence strip packaging to help patients to adhere better to their prescriptions while they are taking multiple medications each day. This measurement is used to look at [adherence](https://info.rxsafe.com/pakmymeds/) with oral diabetes medications, statins and medications for hypertension. Pharmacies are also assessed on their efforts to promote medication safety while identifying gaps in the patients' therapy. This includes looking to make certain that patients with diabetes are taking the right kinds of blood pressure medications and that elderly patients who are prescribed high-risk medications are using them appropriately. Medication therapy management is another area that is evaluated by health plans when they assign ratings to pharmacies. This includes such things as the pharmacy's comprehensive medication completion rates, watching for drug interactions and making certain that inappropriate doses of oral diabetes medications are not prescribed and that patients taking antiretroviral medications for HIV adhere to their prescriptions. By adding systems as the [RxSafe 1800](https://info.rxsafe.com/solutions/rxsafe-1800/) and the [RxASP 20](https://info.rxsafe.com/solutions/rxasp-20/) to your pharmacy, you can help to increase its efficiency, decrease errors and improve patient adherence. All of these improvements can lead to better outcomes for your patients while also increasing your pharmacy's bottom line. To learn more, [contact](http://rxsafe.com/contact/) RxSafe today. ## RxSafe ![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/eyecon_rxsafe_favicon%20(1).svg) RxSafe improves patient health by partnering with the nation’s 21,000 independent retail pharmacies, using our technology solutions to transform the way you do business. We collaborate with pharmacies and other industry innovators to enable patient adherence, attract new customers, create additional revenue streams, and boost profitability. Learn more: www.rxsafe.com. #### Related Posts ## [Not Your Average Joes, LTC Pharmacy at Home – Part 3 \[Podcast Recap\]](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/not-your-average-joes-ltc-pharmacy-at-home-part-3) October 10, 2025 [![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/Episode%20Three%201.jpg)](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/not-your-average-joes-ltc-pharmacy-at-home-part-3) ## [What’s Really Holding You Back from Taking the LTC at Home Leap?](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/whats-really-holding-you-back-from-taking-the-ltc-at-home-leap) August 15, 2025 [![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/fear%20in%20LTC%20(1).png)](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/whats-really-holding-you-back-from-taking-the-ltc-at-home-leap) ## [The Power of Versatility: RapidPakRx Goes Beyond LTC at Home](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/rapidpakrx-versatility-pharmacy-supplement-income) June 24, 2025 [![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/What%20if%20your%20pharmacy%E2%80%99s%20automation%20could%20fill%20more%20than%20just%20prescriptions-1.png)](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/rapidpakrx-versatility-pharmacy-supplement-income) [![demo graphic ](https://info.rxsafe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/demo%20graphic%20.png?width=314&height=220&name=demo%20graphic%20.png)](https://rxsafe.com/contact/) [![Eyecon 250x175 1](https://info.rxsafe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Eyecon%20250x175%201.png?width=323&height=226&name=Eyecon%20250x175%201.png)](https://www.eyeconvpc.com/contact-the-eyecon-sales-team/) ### Most recent posts [Celebrating Dave Lang: 48 Years, One Remarkable Career](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/celebrating-dave-lang) [![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/Dave%20Lang-1.png)](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/celebrating-dave-lang) [Maximize Pharmacy Investment with Section 179 in 2026](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/section-179-and-your-pharmacy) [![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/2026%20Section%20179%20(35%20x%2015%20in)%20(1).png)](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/section-179-and-your-pharmacy) [Customer Spotlight: Debbie's Family Pharmacy — From Falling Behind to Two Weeks Ahead](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/customer-spotlight-debbies-family-pharmacy) [![](https://info.rxsafe.com/hubfs/CustomerSpotlightDebbies-1.png)](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/customer-spotlight-debbies-family-pharmacy) #### CONTACT US [2453 Cades Way, Ste. 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