FOR RELEASE ON AUGUST 23, 2021

Sharp Health Plan is San Diego’s Best Insurance Provider

Delivering high-quality, affordable health insurance to San Diegans of all ages.

SAN DIEGO, CA — Sharp Health Plan was named the Best Insurance Provider in the 2021 San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll. Now in its 25th year, the Readers Poll is a trusted source that highlights outstanding local businesses and services in San Diego County.

“As a local, not-for-profit health plan — and San Diego’s trusted health care partner and advocate for almost thirty years — we couldn’t be more proud,” says Melissa Hayden Cook, president and chief executive officer of Sharp Health Plan. “As San Diego’s Best Insurance Provider, we’re committed to delivering high-quality health insurance that’s affordable for San Diegans of all ages.”

The UT-Best recognition builds on Sharp Health Plan being named one of the Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage in California by U.S. News earlier this year. Sharp Health Plan’s commitment to high-quality coverage and service has led to multiple statewide and national recognitions too, including the following distinctions:

  • Highest member-rated health plan in California and in the nation with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Private Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2019-20.1
  • Highest member ratings for health care, personal doctor and specialist among reporting California health plans in 2019.1
  • Highest rated patient experience with a 5 out of 5-star score from the Office of the Patient Advocate.2
  • Rated 4 out of 5 stars by Covered California.3,4
  • Highest member-rated Medicare Advantage plan in San Diego.5
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Medicare.

“Thank you to our valued members and to our incredible employees — we could not have received these amazing recognitions without you,” says Hayden Cook. “We know San Diegans have a choice when it comes to their health insurance. With Covered California’s open enrollment and Medicare’s Annual Election Period both coming up, we encourage all San Diegans to get health insurance, and to evaluate the quality of their health plan and it’s network.”

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) offers annual health insurance plan ratings based on clinical quality, member satisfaction and NCQA accreditation survey results. Covered California and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also both offer rating systems to rank individual and family plans and Medicare Advantage plans respectively.

“This year, we’re proud to offer some of the most competitive IFP rates in San Diego, and we’re excited to offer a new $0 VIP Medicare Advantage Plan,” adds Hayden Cook. “Just two more examples of how we’re committed to delivering The Sharp Experience to our members.”

About Sharp Health Plan

Sharp Health Plan is a locally-based, not-for-profit health plan that has been serving San Diegans for almost thirty years. With 145,000 members, Sharp Health Plan offers San Diegans access to high-quality and affordable health insurance through their individual and family plans, commercial group plans, and Medicare plans. They continue to be recognized nationally and locally for their award-winning healthcare for San Diegans of all ages. Visit sharphealthplan.com to learn more.

Media Contact

John Cihomsky
Sharp HealthCare Public Relations and Communications
john.cihomsky@sharp.com
1-858-499-4117 Office
1-760-525-0671 Mobile

1 Due to COVID-19, NCQA will not release 2020-21 Health Plan Ratings for any product line. This rating is based upon 2019-20 Health Plan Ratings. The source for this data is Quality Compass® 2019 and is used with the permission of NCQA. Quality Compass 2019 includes certain CAHPS® data. Any data display, analysis, interpretation, or conclusion based on these data is solely that of the authors, and NCQA specifically disclaims responsibility for any such display, analysis, interpretation, or conclusion. Quality Compass is a registered trademark of NCQA. CAHPS is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Sharp Health Plan achieved the following summary ratings (9+10): 57.30 for Rating of the Health Plan compared to the California all LOBs average (excluding PPOs & EPOs) of 47.23; 65.25 for Rating of Health Care compared to the California all LOBs average (excluding PPOs & EPOs) of 51.87; 74.47 for Rating of Personal Doctor compared to the California all LOBs average (excluding PPOs & EPOs) of 65.60 and 75.68 for Rating of Specialist compared to the California all LOBs average (excluding PPOs & EPOs) of 63.50.

2 The source for data contained in this publication is Quality Compass 2019 and is used with the permission of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Quality Compass 2019 includes certain Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) data. Any data display, analysis, interpretation, or conclusion based on these data is solely that of the authors, and NCQA specifically disclaims responsibility for any such display, analysis, interpretation, or conclusion. Quality Compass is a registered trademark of NCQA. CAHPS is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

3 Plan quality ratings and enrollee survey results are calculated by CMS using data provided by health plans. Due to the COVID-19 virus, CMS did not collect data from health plans during the 2020 calendar year. Therefore, the ratings reflect data previously provided by health plans in 2019. The ratings are being displayed for health plans for the 2021 plan year. Learn more about these ratings.

4 CMS scores qualified health plans (QHPs) offered through the Exchanges using the Quality Rating System (QRS) based on third-party validated clinical measure data and QHP Enrollee Survey responses. CMS calculates ratings yearly on a 5-star scale. QHP issuers work with HHS-approved survey vendors that independently conduct the survey each year. QRS ratings and QHP Enrollee Survey results may change from year to year. Due to the COVID-19 virus, CMS did not collect data from health plans during the 2020 calendar year. Therefore, the ratings and results reflect data previously provided by health plans in 2019.

5 Based on a 92% base group in the area of members’ overall rating of their health plan from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) score survey conducted in 2019.