Making informed decisions about your healthcare coverage is crucial, especially when it comes to Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized this need and taken a significant step forward by launching a completely modernized and redesigned Medicare Plan Finder on medicare.gov. This marks the first major upgrade to this essential tool in a decade, making it simpler than ever for over 60 million Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and select the coverage that best suits their individual health requirements.
This revamped Medicare.gov Plan Compare tool is part of the Trump Administration’s broader eMedicare initiative, aimed at enhancing Medicare consumer services in the digital age. While acknowledging the continued importance of traditional customer service channels like the 1-800-MEDICARE helpline and paper handbooks, CMS is proactively adapting to the increasing digital literacy of Medicare beneficiaries.
CMS Administrator Seema Verma stated, “President Trump has made it clear that he wants to protect and strengthen Medicare. The redesigned Medicare Plan Finder is another example of how CMS is empowering beneficiaries with price and quality information to take advantage of lower rates and new benefits in Medicare Advantage and Part D.” This upgrade arrives at a beneficial time, as average Medicare Advantage premiums have decreased to their lowest levels in six years in 2019, and average Part D basic premiums have also seen a significant reduction, projecting savings of approximately $1.9 billion for beneficiaries since 2017.
The enhanced Medicare Plan Finder offers a range of improvements designed to streamline the plan comparison process and empower users. Key features of the updated tool include:
Key Features of the New Medicare Plan Finder
The redesigned medicare.gov plan compare tool provides a more user-friendly and efficient experience with several new features:
- Comprehensive Comparison: Easily compare pricing across Original Medicare, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies all in one place.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Access and compare coverage options conveniently on smartphones and tablets, ensuring accessibility for all users regardless of their preferred device.
- Side-by-Side Plan Comparison: Compare up to three drug plans or three Medicare Advantage plans simultaneously, facilitating a clearer understanding of the differences and benefits.
- Detailed Plan Information: Access comprehensive details on plan costs and benefits, including insights into extra benefits offered by various Medicare Advantage plans, helping users identify plans that offer additional value.
- Personalized Drug List Builder: Create a personalized drug list to efficiently find Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that specifically addresses individual medication needs and reduces out-of-pocket expenses.
These enhancements are the result of a phased rollout and extensive user testing. Both the old and new Plan Finder versions were available in parallel until the end of September 2019, allowing users to gradually transition to the updated platform. Furthermore, the new Plan Finder had already been implemented in the 1-800-MEDICARE call centers for over a month prior to public launch, ensuring its robustness and usability.
Addressing User Needs and Improving Functionality
CMS has prioritized user feedback and stakeholder collaboration throughout the redesign process. The updated medicare.gov plan compare tool directly addresses previous limitations and incorporates significant improvements, such as:
- Integrated Coverage Information: Clearer and more accessible information about various Medicare coverage options, helping users understand the nuances of each plan type.
- Cost Savings Clarity: Improved explanation of the cost-saving benefits associated with low-income subsidy programs, ensuring eligible beneficiaries are aware of available financial assistance.
- Claims Data Integration: Functionality to utilize actual claims data to create more accurate personal drug lists, leading to more precise cost estimations and plan recommendations.
- Streamlined User Flow: A more intuitive and seamless end-to-end user experience, simplifying navigation and reducing complexity in the plan comparison process.
- Optimized Mobile Experience: Ensuring full mobile optimization for easy use across desktops, tablets, and smartphones, catering to the diverse technological preferences of Medicare beneficiaries.
The increasing adoption of mobile devices for accessing Medicare resources is evident, with approximately 25 percent of beneficiaries using mobile devices to access the Medicare Plan Finder in 2018, a 40 percent increase from the previous year. This highlights the importance of a mobile-friendly medicare.gov plan compare tool.
Ongoing Support and Future Enhancements
CMS is committed to providing continuous support and resources to assist users in navigating the new Medicare Plan Finder. They have conducted in-person and online training sessions throughout the summer and have planned additional webinars. Furthermore, supplementary learning tools such as videos and tip sheets are being developed to facilitate user understanding and adoption.
Looking ahead, CMS aims to further enhance the accessibility of Medicare data by releasing real-time Medicare plan data in an API format by the end of 2019. This initiative will empower private sector developers and researchers to create even more innovative tools that can assist beneficiaries in making well-informed health coverage decisions.
In conjunction with the Medicare Plan Finder upgrade, CMS has also redesigned the Medicare.gov homepage and refreshed the personalized MyMedicare.gov portal, all contributing to a more cohesive, user-friendly, and personalized online experience for individuals with Medicare. These efforts are part of the ongoing eMedicare initiative, which has already introduced valuable tools like the “What’s Covered” app and price transparency tools.
Take Advantage of Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7, is the ideal time for Medicare beneficiaries to utilize the upgraded medicare.gov plan compare tool. During this period, individuals can review their current coverage, explore new plan options, and make changes to ensure their healthcare needs are met for the upcoming year. With health and drug plan costs and benefits subject to annual changes, proactive plan comparison is essential.
Administrator Verma encourages users to, “Try it out and let us know what you think,” emphasizing the ongoing commitment to user feedback and continuous improvement. Whether you are a new Medicare beneficiary or a seasoned enrollee, the redesigned Medicare Plan Finder on medicare.gov offers a powerful and user-friendly resource to confidently navigate your Medicare plan choices. Visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program to learn more and make informed decisions about your healthcare coverage.
