As we approach the annual Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey period beginning in March, we want to ensure our provider partners understand what CAHPS is, why it matters, and how you can support a positive experience for your patients.
What is CAHPS?
The Medicare CAHPS survey is a nationally standardized patient experience survey administered annually to a random sample of Medicare enrollees. It is conducted by CMS‑approved survey vendors and measures key aspects of the patient experience, including:
- Getting needed care
- Getting care quickly
- Care coordination
- Provider communication
- Customer service and plan responsiveness
- Prescription drug services
Because responses come directly from members, CAHPS is one of the most trusted and influential indicators of patient experience in Medicare.
CAHPS and patient experience
CAHPS carries significant weight in the Medicare Stars program. Several measures are directly influenced by patients’ experience with their physicians, care teams, and practice processes.
High-impact areas include:
- Care coordination (20+% of patient experience weighting)
- Getting needed care
- Getting care quickly
- Rating of healthcare quality
- Provider communication
Your daily interactions with patients have a direct impact on our CAHPS performance and ultimately, our Stars rating. Stronger Stars performance helps us support our providers through higher quality bonuses, increased resources, and program investments.
Survey fielding timeline
The 2026 Medicare CAHPS Survey will be fielded from March through early June.
Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Once the sample is drawn, only CMS‑approved vendors may contact members about CAHPS.
How you can support CAHPS success
You can make a meaningful difference by continuing to focus on the fundamentals of the patient experience:
- Access: Offer timely appointments, especially for urgent needs.
- Communication: Use clear language, confirm understanding, and ask if patients have questions.
- Coordination: Close the loop on referrals, test results, and follow-up care.
- Respect and empathy: Small gestures go a long way in shaping patient perceptions.