by
Paige Minemyer | Aug 27, 2019 11:00am
The Trump administration is launching a
large-scale overhaul of its Medicare Plan Finder tool with the goal of making
it easier to use and better at arming consumers with information on
their options.
The tool hasn’t been updated in a decade, and
its outdated functionalities were the subject of a recent report from the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) , which warned that it was far from
user-friendly.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) Administrator Seema Verma said on a call with reporters Monday that the
updated tool is aimed at empowering consumers with a more
individualized experience.
“We are pleased to offer a modern,
easy-to-use, easy-to-read design, offering a personalized experience,” Verma
said.
The updated version of the Plan Finder
launched today but will continue to coexist alongside the original version of
the tool through September, allowing members to get used to the
redesign. Medicare’s open enrollment begins Oct. 15.
The new version of the tool is designed to be
more mobile-friendly as well, as many Medicare beneficiaries turn to tech-savvy
family members or caregivers to assist with selecting a plan, a CMS official
said on the call.
Beneficiaries will have two options when they
sign into the new tool: to navigate it using an account or to proceed
as a guest. By logging in with an account, personal data about the member will
be loaded such as their existing Medicare coverage, drugs they use and
pharmacies they frequent.
Medicare beneficiaries will then be able to
browse choices in traditional Medicare, Medigap supplemental insurance, Part D
plans and Medicare Advantage plans.
By selecting several plans, beneficiaries can
compare directly the associated costs including premiums, copays and
deductibles.
Not all data will be available on the updated
tool, however. The GAO noted in its report that a key pain point for consumers
is that provider network data for MA plans are not available within
the tool, which can hinder their ability to effectively compare plan
options.
CMS did address some of the GAO’s concerns,
however, and is making it easier to filter plans and is providing some
integrated cost data, such as drug pricing.
Verma said CMS views updating Medicare Plan
Finder as an ongoing process, so additional features are in the
hopper.
“We see quality improvement as an ongoing
task,” Verma said.
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