Run a focused 30-day Stars improvement cycle
A practical CMS Stars improvement playbook covering data readiness, prioritization, care-gap workflows, human oversight, and AdherenceStar’s upcoming capabilities.
Days 1–7 · Establish the evidence
Choose one contract and a small number of measures. Confirm source dates and reconcile the baseline. List unresolved data questions and assign them before setting a target. Use synthetic data for a demonstration environment.
Days 8–14 · Design the workflow
Pick the team that can resolve each type of issue. Agree on contact preferences, approval responsibility, clinical escalation, and the evidence needed to close the work. Check that the required channel is actually available.
Days 15–21 · Review the work in progress
Look at unresolved cases and failed handoffs, not just totals completed. Reconcile newly arrived data before assuming an action had no effect. Adjust the workflow where evidence shows friction.
Days 22–30 · Learn and reset
Compare the baseline with the new evidence using the same definitions. Separate operational improvements from causal claims. Decide what to continue, stop, or investigate, then begin the next cycle with a documented handoff.
Take this to your next review
Bring a dated source, the assumption you are using, the person responsible for the next action, and the evidence you will review. Keep official methodology separate from local planning choices.
Reference desk
These resources support the program context. The workflow above is AdherenceStar’s suggested practice, not a CMS-mandated procedure.
CMS · CY 2027 final rule, April 2, 2026 ↗