Despite a major overhaul to the Medicare Plan Finder (MPF) that
was readied in time for the Annual Election Period that concluded on Dec. 7,
multiple reports at press time indicated that the online tool was providing
inaccurate cost estimates for users, especially relating to prescription drugs.
CMS dropped the new MPF, which reportedly cost $11 million, on
Aug. 27 — just seven weeks before the Oct. 15 start of the AEP.
"At the outset, CMS did not provide enough time to test the
functionality of the tool, which has led to 'testing in real time' with real
ramifications to Medicare beneficiaries and their ability to access care,"
says Amber Christ, directing attorney with Justice in Aging.
A recent Health Affairs article observed that the new MPF
"explicitly emphasizes the monthly plan premium over arguably more
relevant information — estimated total drug costs — which also account for
expected out-of-pocket costs." Total drug costs are "displayed in a
small font amidst other information," and the tool lists available plans
starting with the lowest premiums, added the article.
"Distressed" by "the media coverage talking about
'glitches' or 'malfunctions'" in the MPF, a CMS blog post dated Nov. 27
said the new tool "displays the most current and accurate information on
premiums, deductibles and cost sharing that Medicare Advantage and Prescription
Drug Plans provide."
CMS also reported that the agency is not done improving the tool
and has incorporated additional changes during the AEP as it receives feedback
from users and stakeholders.
"We appreciate that CMS is working diligently to address
problems that come up," says Christ. "Our concern is that many people
have already made decisions based on inaccurate plan finder information."
To ensure that beneficiaries do not experience harm, Justice in
Aging has asked CMS to make the Special Enrollment Period more flexible and to
widely advertise its availability, she adds.
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