New Medicare Plan Finder is Improved but Needs Work before Fall Open Enrollment Begins on October 15

In a letter sent this week to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, we applauded the agency’s efforts to update the Medicare Plan Finder but also urged CMS to make additional improvements to the tool prior to the upcoming Fall Open Enrollment period which begins on October 15.

Developed in 2005 as a central online place to view, compare, and select Medicare Advantage and Part plans, CMS recently unveiled significant updates to the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov.

The new Plan Finder includes a number of important changes that Medicare Rights has long supported—including an improved user experience with a streamlined design and more intuitive presentation.

We welcome these updates but also encourage the agency to make additional revisions so the tool is clearer, more accurate, and more functional before Fall Open Enrollment begins. As outlined in our recommendations, the needed changes include improving the sort and summary features to account for data of importance to users, such as drug cost and formulary information, and clarifying potentially confusing language and displays.

Based on our experience assisting people with Medicare and their families during Fall Open Enrollment and throughout the year, we know how challenging it can be for older adults and people with disabilities to evaluate their health care and prescription drug coverage options. We look forward to continuing to work with CMS to ensure older adults and people with disabilities have the tools and resources they need to make informed coverage decisions.

Read the letter to CMS.