Kaiser Permanente Dominates 2026 NCQA Health Plan Rankings

The NCQA evaluated nearly 1,000 health plans nationwide, yet only 7% managed to secure a rating of 4.5 stars or higher. Kaiser Permanente outperformed this benchmark significantly, with 20 of its 22 plans—or 91%—attaining that high-level status. The organization’s 5-star recipients span commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid categories across regions including Northern California, the mid-Atlantic, and Nevada.

Andrew Bindman, executive vice president and chief medical officer, attributed these results to the organization’s integrated care model, which enables medical teams to coordinate services more effectively. The ratings, derived primarily from 2025 performance data, assess patient outcomes, satisfaction levels, and continuous quality improvement efforts. Letitia Bridges, executive vice president at The Permanente Federation, noted that these scores validate the group’s focus on preventative care and treatment consistency.

Note that the data for Nevada reflects operations prior to the February 2026 joint venture between Kaiser Permanente and Renown Health. While the plans currently operate under the Hometown Health brand, they are scheduled to transition to full Kaiser Permanente branding in 2027.